Chennai: Citing high operational costs, the Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association has decided to increase fares for long distance bus travel by 10 to 20 per cent. The new fares will be applicable from September 10, association members said.
Air-conditioned bus fares would have a price rise of 20 per cent while the non-ac category will have fares hiked by 10 to 12 per cent.
Bus owners cite high diesel prices, insurance costs and tyre prices for having forced them to increase fares.
At a press interaction, A. Afzal, president of the Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association said: “ In the last 18 months diesel prices have increased nearly 15 times to as much as '10 to '12 a litre.
In addition toll charges have gone up twice every year. For a one-way trip between Chennai and Cochin we end up paying '2,900 as toll fee.”
Afsal said that the insurance costs too have been hiked over the past few years. “Today a multi-axle bus pays an insurance of Rs 1,75,000. In addition, cost of automobile spares, tyres have gone up by 30 per cent and so has central government imposed five per cent service tax on our operations,” he said
With the new rates travelling from Chennai to Bangalore in a multiaxle AC bus would cost Rs 1,150. Earlier the fare was Rs 990 for a ticket. Similarly from Chennai to Coimbatore in a non ac bus has been hiked by Rs 150 from Rs 650 for a one way ticket.
Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association is a registered body of over 40 travel operators, who own around 900 long distance buses.
