The fares of the local buses will be increased by Re 1 starting Monday, Udupi City Bus Owners’ Association declared on Saturday.
A press release issued by the Association has said that the owners have been struggling as they had not included the levy surcharge as permitted by the government in April. “Since then, the Association had not taken any decision to levy surcharge. The minimum fare for the first 2 kkm will be Rs 8 from Monday instead of Rs 7. It had earlier been Rs 8 till 4 km but now will be Rs 9. For 6 km, it has been hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 11,” said the press release.
Students who avail of bus coupons will be eligible for 50% concession and daily commuters will get 30% concession, as it was so far.
The owners said that the hike in price of diesel has caused inconvenience to them. “The price of diesel was Rs 64 a litre in April, but has been increased to Rs 74 a litre. Hence, the hike in bus fare has become inevitable,” explained the owners.
Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis has said that the hike is under permissible limits.