Amid the hike in petrol and diesel prices, bus fares have been hiked by 40% with the increase in fares of long-distances vehicles coming into effect from today (Oct 3). On the other hand, fares of city buses will also be hiked, the minimum fare to be increased from Rs 5 to Rs 7.
Bus owners’ association had formally announced their decision to increase fares following skyrocketing fuel prices, announcing a 40% increase in fares that, common people say, will burn a hole in their pockets and upset their monthly budget.
#FLASH | Long-distance bus fares hiked by 40% following ⛽ price hike. Here are the new fares that will be applicable from today. pic.twitter.com/dykVzQy7JI
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) October 3, 2018
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Meanwhile, ruling party and opposition MLAs entered into a war of words over the issue of bus fare hike during the Assembly session today. While BJP MLAs defended the increase in fares, Congress and AIUDF legislators said the hike will affect the common man very hard and criticized the Government for failing to contain hike in petrol and diesel prices.
Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, while defending the fare hike, said the last time fares were increased was in 2012 and that bus owners are facing it difficult to run their vehicles without affecting a fare hike.
People, however, expressed their anger following the decision to raise bus fares terming it anti-people.
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