Bus owners demand fare hike in 15 days

Bus owners demand fare hike in 15 days
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MAY 8
The All Goa Private Bus Owners’ Association in a meeting held in a city hall on Saturday decided to give 15 days notice to the Government for a hike in bus fares by 0.20 paise, a demand which has been pending for the last one-and-half-month.
General Secretary AGPBOA Sudip Tamankar said even after 15 days time if the government fails to hike the bus fare then they would go on a day’s token strike. “Even after the token strike nothing happens then we will take another meeting to decide on the future course of action,” he said.
Tamankar said the notice would be served on Monday and the day 15-day period will start running from then. This demand for fare hike has been pending with the government after the Rs 3 hike in diesel prices two months ago, he said.
He said presently for the first three kilometres the bus fare is Rs 5 and for every subsequent kilometre it is 0.45 paise. “In view of the rise in diesel prices we have impressed upon the government that 0.65 paise for every subsequent kilometre after the first three kilometres was justified,” he said.
Besides, Tamankar said, the bus operators were asking the government to consider their demand to be included for shuttle services on Mapusa-Panjim route along.
He said they had also demanded with the government to allow them to advertise on their buses as done by KTC vehicles. “One company has approached us for the ads but the government has to first give its nod. If this is done then we will get extra revenue that will help us tide over business overheads,” he observed.
Tamankar said, “The government should also take note that Quepem and Margao have no Assistant Director of Transport for many months now. We demand that ADT be appointed at these two places on a priority basis.”