TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Digging in their heels, a section of private bus operators refused to accept the government announced bus fare hike, to be implemented from April, and demanded Rs 10 as the base fare instead. They said that Rs 8 would be accepted only for the first three kilometers, only if 10 paise hike is given for subsequent kms.
The bus owners have decided not to go ahead with implementation of the proposed fare hike without meeting with Director of Transport Arun Dessai, next week.
The All Goa Private Bus Owners Association has refused to accept the government’s hike, but the rival lobby ~Goa State Private Bus Owners Association, has welcomed the government’s decision.
According to proposed rates, the fares have been hiked from existing Rs 5 (for three kms) to Rs 8 (for first four kms). The fare for every subsequent kms (4.1 to 9.9 kms) has been hiked from the existing 75 paise to 80 paise. Beyond 10km, the fare will be 65 paise for each additional km from the existing 60 paise.
The government has agreed to the demands of the bus associations in the state to hike the bus fares in view of rising diesel and other related costs.
Objecting to the move, the AGPBOA has said that government needs to revert to the first three kms concept and the fare should be hiked accordingly.
“Government wants us to charge Rs eight for the first four kilometers but has directed not to charge Rs 12 for the nine kms stretch. We will have to charge only Rs 8. Buses will suffer loss if we go ahead with these fares,” AGPBOA general secretary Sudip Tamhankar said.
“We are ready to go ahead with Rs 8 provided it is restricted to first three kms”, he said adding ‘if not then government should abolish VAT on diesel for commercial vehicles’.
Meanwhile, the bus owners have deferred their indefinite hunger strike, which had been called from April 1 onwards to meet their demand of fare hike.
