Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Wednesday said the decision to raise bus fares would be taken within a week in view of hike in diesel prices last month.
"Yes, the decision to increase the bus fare will be taken in next three to four days," Punjab Transport Minister Ajit Singh Kohar told reporters here in reply to a question.
Asked how much would be the hike, he said "our efforts will be to see that neither bus operators nor commuters are burdened too much."
Last month, private bus operators had sought a hike of 0.15 paise per km while state-owned Punjab Roadways and PRTC demanded an increase of 0.22 paise per km in bus fares.
The bus operators also demanded reduction in motor vehicle tax from Rs 2.25 per km to Rs 1.25 per km and lowering of VAT on diesel.
Private bus operators ply 3,800 buses. Punjab Roadways and PRTC run 4,200 and 2,800 buses respectively across the state.
PTI
