Cut in fuel prices: No slash in bus fares upsets commuters in Odisha

Amid walking inflation, the Central excise duty on petrol has been cut by Rs 8 per litre and on diesel by Rs 6 per litre, reducing the price of petrol by Rs 9.5 per litre and of diesel by Rs 7 per litre. However, the bus fares have remained the same across Odisha.

The daily commuters across the state have expressed their disappointment over the development.

Last month, the bus fares in the State were increased after a hike in the fuel price in the country.

Fares of ordinary and express category buses increased by two paise per kilometres while fares of deluxe and AC deluxe buses increased by four paise per kilometres. Fare of super premium category buses was increased by six paise per km.

However, there has been no immediate slash in the bus fares following the recent cut in fuel prices.

The commuters have put question mark over the logic behind the change in bus fares .

“There is no mechanism in place to control the bus fares across the State and as a result we have to bear the brunt of the inflationary market. When the fuel prices go up, there is an immediate hike in bus fares. But, the bus fares don’t go down immediately following a slash in fuel rates,” said a commuter.

“We have to depend upon buses to travel to our workplaces on a daily basis. We were expecting a slash in bus fares following the cut in fuel prices. But nothing has happened yet and it is pinching our pockets,” said another commuter.