By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA) has announced a 70 per cent increase in passenger transport fares across the state from July 1, citing rising fuel prices and higher operating costs.
The association said it had submitted a memorandum to the Assam Transport Commissioner, seeking relief from the financial burden caused by successive increases in diesel prices and other transport-related expenses.
According to AAMTA, commercial vehicle fares were last revised in November 2011, when the Assam Transport Department approved a 25 per cent hike. At the time, diesel was priced at around Rs 66 per litre.
The association said transport operators have continued services despite rising inflation and operating costs over the past 14 years without any major fare revision.
It attributed the latest fare increase to higher fuel prices, rising maintenance costs and increased expenditure on spare parts and other operational requirements.
Under the revised structure announced by the association, the minimum bus fare will be increased to Rs 20 from July 1.
AAMTA said the fare revision was necessary to sustain passenger transport services and claimed that many operators were facing financial difficulties under current conditions.
Details of the revised fare chart for different routes and categories of vehicles are expected to be announced separately.