Bus fares in Assam lowest in the country: Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary

GUWAHATI, Oct 3: State’s Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on Wednesday confessed that Dispur has no alternative to the proposed hike on bus fares. During the ongoing Assembly session of the State on Wednesday, Patowary said, “Bus fare will be increased at maximum 30%”.

Stating that there was no increase on bus fare ever since 2012, Patowary said, “Bus fare in Assam is lowest in the country.”

Justifying the hike of the bus fare, the Minister further reasoned, “After 2012, there were 68% increase on the prices of motor parts, 54% hike on the wages and salaries of the bus employees, 45% increase on vehicle insurance apart from the increase on petrol and diesel prices.”

Patowary added that without a revised fare, the private bus operators of the State will be fishing in troubled water.