Indian Express 13.11.2009
Private operators want basic fare at par with JNNURM buses
The transport sector in Bengal seems headed towards another round of controversy — this time involving the fare structure of private buses.
Private operators, who have applied for replacement of pre-1993 buses, are demanding parity in the basic fare of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and other buses plying on the same route.
The operators are questioning the alleged unfair decision of the government to charge Rs 5 as the basic fare for JNNURM buses, while Rs 4 is the basic fare for other private buses.
Operators said this would result in losses for those private operators who do not want to buy JNNURM buses but replace their banned vehicles with six-cylinder buses.
“Both JNNURM buses and other post-1993 buses are running on the same route. Why should there be a different fare structure then? Most of us avoid JNNURM buses because of ownership risk and loan burden. But with the difference in basic fare, it is a handicap for those who are buying new buses from elsewhere. We have will hold a meeting tomorrow to decide the next course of action. We want a parity in fares,” said Swarnokomal Saha, general secretary, Bengal Bus Syndicate.
With 65 to 75 per cent of income coming from the first stretch of the journey, the basic fare, operators said, is of utmost importance.
A senior state transport official, however, said: “The basic fare structure of Rs 5 for JNNURM buses is an ad-hoc arrangement. No concrete fare chart has yet been created. Moreover, the basic fare of these buses can be more than other private buses since they may be considered as special buses.
There is a special fare structure by government notification. Buses like S-16, S-2 S-4 are all such special buses. Why can’t JNNURM buses be placed in that category?”
