The Orissa Private Bus Owners' Association on Monday called off its proposed strike from Tuesday after the state government announced an upward revision in bus fares, bowing to the pressure of the association.
The private bus fare has been raised by four paisa per km for ordinary buses, five paisa per km for express buses, six paisa per km for deluxe buses and eight paisa per km for AC deluxe buses, minister for commerce & transport Sanjeev Sahoo told reporters.
Though the association called off the stir, it vented its dissatisfaction over the hike, stating the rise in bus fares was not in accordance with the recommendations of the technical committee of the government.
"Keeping in view the interest of the passengers, we have decided not to go ahead with the stir. But, we are not happy with the hike as it has not come along the lines of the recommendations made by the state government appointed technical committee. In the next two months, the government should consider raising fare on the basis of the committee's recommendations”, said Prakash Mishra, president of the association.
Following the increase, the bus fare for ordinary buses has gone up from 46 paisa to 50 paisa per km that of express buses from 48 paisa to 53 paisa per km, deluxe buses from 64 paisa to 70 paisa per km and AC deluxe buses from 77 paisa to 85 paisa per km.
The technical committee of the state transport department had recommended a hike of six paisa per km for ordinary and express buses, eight paisa per km for deluxe buses and 10 paisa per km for AC deluxe buses.
The private bus owners in Orissa had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from July 19 if the government did not announce a fare hike by July 18. The demand was made in the aftermath of increase in diesel prices on June 23.
