Kolkata
Private bus operators have stepped up the pressure on the state government to hike fares, in the wake of the ballooning fuel costs. During a meeting with the transport minister Madan Mitra, representatives of Minibus Operators Coordination Committee and Bengal Bus Syndicate said quite unambiguously that they would not be able to sustain in the business if bus fare is not hiked in the wake of soaring prices of diesel. It may be mentioned that the transport minister, after taking charge, had dismissed possibility of a hike in bus fare. “In reply to our demand, the minister said he would discuss the issue with the chief minister. He also told us that he would try to arrange a meeting with the bus operators and the chief minister. We have demanded a hike in the bus fare. Since August 1, 2009, when the fare was hiked for the last time, diesel price has increased by more than Rs 10 per litre. Police excess on bus operators has not stopped. A section of passengers do not pay the right fare to the conductors. As a result, the business is in crisis.
