Bus fares of ordinary buses hiked in Punjab

Travelling by buses in Punjab will cost more as the state government today announced a hike of some 10 per cent in ordinary bus fares.
The new bus fares of ordinary buses will be 91 paise per km as against 83 paise per km at present.
"Sympathetically considering the demand of private bus operators, the Punjab government has decided to increase bus fares by 8 paisa per km," Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar said here.
However, there is no hike in bus fares of AC buses, integral coaches and super luxury coaches, state Transport Commissioner Prithi Chand said.
The bus fares were raised in the wake of increase in diesel prices, salaries of employees and other costs, he said.

"Diesel prices have jumped by Rs 7.42 per litre since August 2013," Chand said.

A notification for implementing the new bus fares is likely to be issued in a day or two, he said.
Bus fares in Punjab were last revised in August 2013.
On June 9, private bus operators under the banner of the Punjab Motor Union had threatened a stir from July 1 if the state government did not increase fares.