Punjab Roadways: Bus travel has become expensive in Punjab. Apart from increasing VAT on diesel by 62 paise per liter, the government has also decided to increase bus fares. Bus fares have been increased from 23 paise to 46 paise per km. A notification has been issued by the Punjab Transport Department.
Along with this, passengers will have to pay a minimum of Rs 15 for traveling from one place to another, even if they travel a distance of only one kilometer. The increase in bus fare will help the government to raise Rs 150 crore. There has been no change in the free travel facility given to women. It will continue as before.
According to the information received, the department has been increasing the fares for about four years. This increase will be applicable to both government and private sectors. The fare of ordinary buses with heat ventilation and air conditioning (HSVAC) has been increased by 23 paise per km. Earlier the fare per km was Rs 1.22 per km, which will now be Rs 1.45 per km.
HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) bus fares have been increased by 28 paise to Rs 1.74 per passenger per kilometer. The fare of integral coach has been increased by 41 paise to Rs 2.61 per km and the fare of super integral coach has been increased by 46 paise to Rs 2.90.