Finally Himachal Pradesh government bowed to the pressure of private bus owners and decided to increase bus fare in the state by 30 per cent. It will be come into the effect from October 1.
Minister for Transport, Food and Civil Supplies and Technical Education, GS Bali, made this announcement at Dharamsala and said that this decision was taken due to increase in the prices of diesel and consistent pressure from private bus operators. The minister added that now the bus fare will not be increased for two years.
The minimum bus fare in the state has also been increased from Rs 2 to Rs 5 that will be applicable for a distance of 5 km. However, the students have been exempted from the recent increase in fare for one year as the rates of their bus passes will continue to be issued at the same rates for a year.
Now private bus operators will also be allowed to display advertisements on their buses. The private bus operators will be allowed to enter into agreements with private advertisement agencies for the purpose or in collaboration with the HRTC.
