Bhubaneswar, May 16 (BNP): In view of the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices, the Odisha government has announced a revision in fares for private buses operating across the state. The new fare structure has come into effect immediately.
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The fare hike applies to ordinary, express, deluxe, AC deluxe and super premium category buses. Officials said the revision was approved following repeated requests from private bus operators, who cited rising fuel costs and increased operational expenses.
Under the revised structure, ordinary bus fares have been increased from 88 paise to 90 paise per kilometre, while express bus fares have gone up from 92 paise to 94 paise per kilometre. Deluxe bus passengers will now pay Rs 1.31 per kilometre instead of Rs 1.27, while AC deluxe fares have been revised from Rs 1.55 to Rs 1.59 per kilometre. Super premium bus fares have also witnessed an increase.
Transport department officials stated that the fare adjustment was necessary to help operators manage escalating fuel and maintenance costs without disrupting services across the state. Authorities, however, maintained that the increase has been kept minimal to avoid putting excessive burden on passengers.
The fare revision is likely to affect thousands of daily commuters and long-distance travellers who rely on private bus services for transportation across Odisha.
Meanwhile, passengers have expressed concern over the rising cost of travel at a time when fuel prices and prices of essential commodities are already witnessing an upward trend.
Transport authorities have directed all bus operators to strictly implement the revised fare chart with immediate effect.