A city bus in Berhampur

Berhampur, Sept. 21: City bus commuters will have to pay less if they travel beyond the distance of 21 kilometres. But, the fare revision eludes those who would travel less than 21km.

The revised fares would be effective from today, according to a decision taken at Ganjam Urban Transport Services Limited meeting.

“Earlier, the fare up to 21km was Rs 21. For 21 to 24km, it was Rs 29, and from 24 to 27km Rs 37. Now, the slab will be Rs 3 more instead of Rs 8 for an extra distance of 3km,” said divisional transport manager of the service Amiya Kumar Mishra.

However, commuters who undertake short trips that is less than 21km will not be beneficial by the move and most of them prefer the city bus to undertake short journeys.

“We would have been happy had the fares for shorter distances were also reduced,” said Harihar Pradhan, a daily commuter.

The service was introduced in Berhampur seven months ago. “We get a good response,” said Mishra.

The transport body will also impose stricter fines for travelling without tickets. Such travellers will need to cough up double the amount of the bus fare as fine. Conductors will also be fined Rs 500 if there are passengers plying without tickets.