Kolkata: Any private bus fare that has stagnated passengers in Kolkata could increase further.
On Tuesday, the number of private buses running on the city’s roads dropped further, and operators threatened another informal fare revision within the next few days.
Passengers seem to be suffering again as the government requires commuters to report “additional fares” to police, despite the high-priced tickets printed and issued throughout Kolkata.
“The writing is on the wall — after a long wait, it’s the passengers who manage to pay through their noses to find the bus. The moment we protest, the owner will say that the rest of the bus is off the road. The government has already reduced its fleet to about half its original power. Everyone is busy handing money to another, even when we are suffering. The government sees the evening bus. There should be little space to step into the Behara Bus from the Esplanade, “said Kalyan Choudhry, who travels daily between Cheyenne Bazaar and Behara.
The current “unofficial” fares are 10 rupees for the first 4km, 15 rupees for the next 8km and 20 rupees for the next 4km. At least two minibus unions have claimed that negotiations are ongoing to raise fares “informally”. “There are two suggestions. We may charge a minimum fare of 12 rupees. However, we may keep the minimum fare at Rs 10 to compete with the car, but reduce the applicable distance to 2km. Only, “he said.
Swapang Gauche, co-secretary of the Minibus Operators Coordination Committee, said he had already confirmed on Tuesday that buses were reduced by another 10% on certain routes. He admitted that fare revisions were being discussed, but refused to go into details. “The government doesn’t think it’s necessary, but we need to survive,” he said. Currently, there are only four buses running between Joka and Ruby, and four more between Sakherbazar and Howrah. Even after the pandemic, Ghosh said 8 to 10 buses were running on these two routes.
Buses in the pre-Covid era operated only 40% to 50%, and some drivers, including government agencies, fled on short end routes. “Route 235 ends at Shielda instead of Salt Lake, Route C-26 ends at Kamargazi instead of Baluipur, and Anandapur Mini to Salad Park ends at Saker Bazaar. How do bus owners end? Can the government close its eyes if it can request a fare revision and such anomalies occur? “Another commuter, Gautam Hazra, asked.
“Our officers investigate complaints. As Minister Hakim said, passengers can approach us or the police with specific complaints,” said a transportation department official.
Tapan Banerjee of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates said: I would like the Fare Regulation Authority to recommend a fare revision. ”
On Tuesday, the number of private buses running on the city’s roads dropped further, and operators threatened another informal fare revision within the next few days.
Passengers seem to be suffering again as the government requires commuters to report “additional fares” to police, despite the high-priced tickets printed and issued throughout Kolkata.
“The writing is on the wall — after a long wait, it’s the passengers who manage to pay through their noses to find the bus. The moment we protest, the owner will say that the rest of the bus is off the road. The government has already reduced its fleet to about half its original power. Everyone is busy handing money to another, even when we are suffering. The government sees the evening bus. There should be little space to step into the Behara Bus from the Esplanade, “said Kalyan Choudhry, who travels daily between Cheyenne Bazaar and Behara.
The current “unofficial” fares are 10 rupees for the first 4km, 15 rupees for the next 8km and 20 rupees for the next 4km. At least two minibus unions have claimed that negotiations are ongoing to raise fares “informally”. “There are two suggestions. We may charge a minimum fare of 12 rupees. However, we may keep the minimum fare at Rs 10 to compete with the car, but reduce the applicable distance to 2km. Only, “he said.
Swapang Gauche, co-secretary of the Minibus Operators Coordination Committee, said he had already confirmed on Tuesday that buses were reduced by another 10% on certain routes. He admitted that fare revisions were being discussed, but refused to go into details. “The government doesn’t think it’s necessary, but we need to survive,” he said. Currently, there are only four buses running between Joka and Ruby, and four more between Sakherbazar and Howrah. Even after the pandemic, Ghosh said 8 to 10 buses were running on these two routes.
Buses in the pre-Covid era operated only 40% to 50%, and some drivers, including government agencies, fled on short end routes. “Route 235 ends at Shielda instead of Salt Lake, Route C-26 ends at Kamargazi instead of Baluipur, and Anandapur Mini to Salad Park ends at Saker Bazaar. How do bus owners end? Can the government close its eyes if it can request a fare revision and such anomalies occur? “Another commuter, Gautam Hazra, asked.
“Our officers investigate complaints. As Minister Hakim said, passengers can approach us or the police with specific complaints,” said a transportation department official.
Tapan Banerjee of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicates said: I would like the Fare Regulation Authority to recommend a fare revision. ”
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