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Calcutta, Oct 31 (PTI): The Mamata Banerjee government has finally allowed an increase in the fares of buses, minibuses and taxis, giving in to a long-pending demand by operators.
Fares of ordinary private buses and minibuses go up by Re 1 for distances over 3km and below 16km. For taxis, the fare goes up by Rs 3.
The minimum fare of buses and minibuses would now be Rs 5 and Rs 6 respectively. The fare goes up by Re 1 in each stage thereafter.
In the districts, bus fares will increase by ten paise per km. Fares of long-distance buses will increase considerably.
The minimum taxi fare would increase from Rs 22 to Rs 25 following the hike.
The decision was taken after a Group of Ministers for the Transport Sector recommended the fare hike to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters here.
”The decision was taken considering the demands by operators in the transport sector following increase in price of diesel and spare parts,” he said.
An indefinite strike called by operators of 60,000 private buses, the mainstay of public transport in the state, in early October was postponed till October 29 following a meeting between the Chief Minister and transport operators.
The Joint Council of Bus Syndicate had called an indefinite strike earlier from October 9. Members of the Bengal Taxi Association also had gone on strike for two days.
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