AC bus travel in city may cost less

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 28

Travel by AC buses on local routes is likely to become cheaper soon. Five months after revising the bus fares, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) is contemplating reducing the fares of AC buses by Rs 5.

Citing a fall in the revenue due to underutilisation of AC buses by commuters after the revision of fares, the department has sought a reduction in the daily fare and confessional bus passes. There will be no change in the fares of non-AC buses. A senior official said the matter was being taken up with the Adviser to the UT Administrator.

In September last year, the CTU had increased fares by 40 per cent. The hike had been allowed after a gap of over 10 years.

Against the existing fares of Rs 15 (up to 3 km), Rs 20 (up to 10 km) and Rs 25 (above 10 km), the undertaking has now proposed Rs 10, Rs 15 and Rs 20, respectively. The undertaking also proposed to reduce the fee of monthly passes for different categories by 20 per cent.

Besides, the authorities have decided to charge fee for AC bus passes at the same rate as being charged for non-AC buses.