Himachal roadways increases bus fare

Traveling in Himachal Pradesh Roadways buses would be costlier as the government decided Monday to hike fare by around 25 percent, officials said.

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has increased the fare by 24.44 percent in plain areas while 20.69 percent in the hilly region.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held here Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, officials said.

The fare of ordinary buses has been hiked to Rs 1.12 from 90 paise per kilometer (24.44 percent increase) in plain areas and Rs 1.75 from existing Rs 1.45 per km (20.69 percent increase) in hills.

Similarly, the fare of deluxe buses has been hiked to Rs 1.37 from Rs 1.10 per km (24.44 percent increase) in plain areas, Rs 2.17 from existing Rs 1.80 per km (20.69 percent increase) in hilly areas.

In Volvo or air-conditioned buses, the fare has been hiked to Rs 2.74 from Rs 2.20 per km (24.44 percent increase) in plain areas, Rs 3.62 from existing Rs 3 per km (20.69 percent increase) in hilly areas.

Terming the hike in bus fare as minimal, an official spokesperson said the minimum bus fare would now be Rs 6.

He said the hike has come after a long period of five years.

The fare approved are comparable with those prevailing in neighboring states of Punjab and Uttrakhand, he added.

The fare hike is justified in view of the sharp increase in diesel prices, he said.