People of Assam may have to face another round of bus fare hike by the first week of October.
A report published in the The Assam Tribune stated that a memorandum submitted by the All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA) to the Transport Commissioner of Assam on September 21 last stated that if the Government will not take any action to stop the constant rise in fuel prices, the organisation will increase bus fares by 50 per cent from October 3.
The report further stated that the last round of bus fare hike in the State took place in October 2012. During that time, the price of diesel per litre was Rs 50.50 which today became Rs 77.32. From the beginning of this year, both the petrol and diesel prices have been rising at a constant rate. On September 21 last, the diesel price decreased by Rs 0.13 but on Saturday it again increased by Rs 0.07.
If the fare hike takes place, the city bus fare in Guwahati for 0 km to 5 km will increase from Rs 5 to Rs 7.50, for 5 km to 9 km, the fare will increase from Rs 8 to Rs 12.50, for 9 km to 13 km, the fare will increase from Rs 11 to Rs 15, for 13 km to 17 km, the fare will increase from Rs 15 to Rs 18.13, for 17 km to 21 km, the fare will increase from Rs 18 to Rs 21.25 and for 21 km to 25 km, the bus fare will increase from Rs 21 to Rs 23.75.
The AAMTA had earlier on March 11, 2016, and on July 7, 2017, also appealed to the Transport Commissioner to increase the bus fare in Assam due to the “rapid rise” in prices of petroleum commodities and the rates of premium for vehicle insurance.
On August 31 last, the AAMTA held a meeting with the State Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and urged him to mitigate their various problems. A statement of the AAMTA said the Transport Minister had ensured to increase the bus fare soon.
“The conditions of transport workers in Assam have become miserable day by day with the Government not taking any steps to hike fare. The whole transport sector in the State is also now facing a financial crisis. So, we have to increase the fare,” added the memorandum.
Earlier, the AAMTA also urged the Government to bring all petroleum commodities under Goods and Sales Tax (GST), which will check the constant price hike.