Shimla, Aug 25,
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has announced a almost 50 percent hike in the bus pass charges for private Shimla school students, effective from September 2024. The decision has been confirmed by the Managing Director of HRTC, Rohan Thakur.
Here it is noteworthy that the decision comes in effect for only private schools of Shimla whether Convent or public. In case of government run institutions the travel is already free, confirmed the Managing Director.
As per the revised rates, the charges for bus passes will see a substantial increase.
The new ratesinclude passes costing ₹600 per month will now be charged at ₹900 per month. Passes costing ₹900 per month will now be charged at ₹1350 per month. Passes costing ₹1000 per month will now be charged at ₹1500 per month and Passes costing ₹1200 per month will now be charged at ₹1800 per month.
The passes will be issued starting from September 26, 2024, and will cover a period of four months, from September to December.
Many parents effected by the decision have criticised the hike, but reportedly schools where HRTC buses ply to ferry students have started publicizing the new charges amongst school students. A parent Jagdish informed that as per new charges the minimum rate per day would now be Rs 30 per day and maximum would be Rs 60 per day.
Justifying the growth in charges the MD informed that the same has not been updated since 2016, and therefore the hike. He said this operation is causing the corporation a loss of 13 crore per year.
“Also when we send these buses to private schools we are unable to provide these services to surrounding rural areas,” he added. Stating that, ” We have also written to schools that HRTC may not be in a position to provide buses in the future.”
As per information availabe the parents have the option to send cash with their children in a sealed envelope or deposit the amount in cash at designated collection points between 9:00 AM and 12:00 Noon.
This decision comes as a part of HRTC’s efforts to manage operational costs and ensure the sustainability of student transportation services. The new rates are expected to affect thousands of students across Shimla, where mostly private schools hire HRTC buses to ferry students.
