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No second class
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Calcutta, June 2: The Bengal government today raised by 50 paise the Rs 4.50 fare in transport corporation-run buses and reduced by an equal amount the Rs 5.50 slab.
The move was prompted by the problems conductors face in giving change to passengers.
Transport minister Madan Mitra said the maximum fare slab of Rs 6.50 would remain unchanged.
“The transport department incurs a loss of around Rs 25 lakh every day because of lack of coins,” Mitra said.
The government gives each conductor Rs 80 in loose change every day.
Transport department sources said a survey had revealed that the bulk of passengers travelling in transport corporation-run buses in Calcutta fell in the Rs 4.50 and Rs 5.50 slabs.
The new fares are expected to come into effect in seven days.
Mitra also announced the government’s decision to do away with the second class in trams. “The minimum tram fare will be Rs 4 from now on,” he said. Earlier, the minimum fare was Rs 3.50.
Both compartments will have fans, a Calcutta Tramways Corporation official said. Now, only first-class compartments have fans.
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