PANAJI: The transport department has finally issued a notification on Tuesday to hike bus tariff from minimum fare of Rs 8 for first four km to Rs 10 and Rs 5 for every five km thereafter. The new tariff will be applicable from January 11.
For KTCL shuttle service, the new tariff will be Rs 1.20 paise per km and air conditioned service at Rs 1.25 per km.
The bus fare was last hiked in 2013 from Rs 5 to Rs 8 for the 3 km distance.
Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikar justified the rise saying that rates were increased after a survey by the department as diesel prices have gone up. “The department has done a survey for six months following a demand from the bus association to increase the rates,” Dhavlikar said.
Private bus owners however are unhappy. “We want a slab of Rs 10 for the first three km instead of four,” said Goa Private Bus Owners Association president Sudeep Tamhankar.
With the new fare, the longest route like Panaji to Sanvordem will cost Rs 64.
