Bus owners postpone fare hike decision
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 22
Even as private bus owners have decided to postpone their bus fare hike demand due to reshuffle of the transport director, the state Transport Ministry said that it is scrutinizing the demand.
“We have received a detail report from the director of transport over several demands of private bus owners. A decision will be taken only after scrutinizing the report,” Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar told Herald.
He said that there is no specific recommendation on hike in ticket fares.
“Let us examine the report. If the ticket hike is necessary then directions will be issued for the same,” he added.
Director of Transport Swapnil Naik, last week had submitted a detail report on the demands of bus operators. The report clearly said that an immediate ticket hike is not possible as the private bus operators earn much more then expected.
The Transport Department says 80 per cent private bus operators are running in profit. However, bus operators claim that a rise in diesel prices is forcing them to eke out Rs 120 a day additionally.
Meanwhile, the reshuffle of transport directors have forced the private bus owners to hold back their demand of hike in ticket fares.
“The directors are being changed often and each new director asks for additional time to study the proposal. So now we are waiting for the new director to take charge,” All Goa Private Bus Owners Association General Secretary, Sudip Tamankar said.
Bus operators are also waiting for the Central government decision over increase in diesel prices. “The prices of diesel were suppose to increase last week but the Central government has postponed their meeting….we are waiting for the decision,” Tamankar said.
The private bus operators in the State had demanded a hike in bus fares by 0.20 paisa, after the diesel price went up by Rs 2.72 per litre, in April.
