Shimla, July 28
State unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) has condemned the state government’s proposed decision to increase the minimum bus fare from Rs. 5 to Rs. 12 party local committee said here today that this is steep hike of 145 per cent should immediately roll back.
Additionally, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has decided to raise school bus fares by 50% and increase charges for Smart Card and concessional travel.
The party demands the immediate withdrawal of these fare hikes, threatening to mobilize public protests against the economic burden imposed on the common people.
Former Mayor of Shimla Sanjay Chauhan said that owing to have no railway lines in the state, bus service is the sole means of transport.
“The fare increase would significantly impact the general public, especially farmers, laborers, students, employees, women, and youth.
The government’s justification for the fare hike is to recover HRTC from losses. However, the CPI(M) argues that the state’s privatization policies in the transport sector are the real issue.
These policies have led to a reduction in the number of buses and routes operated by HRTC, while private operators have gained control of profitable routes.
Currently, HRTC operates 2573 routes with 3150 buses, while private operators run around 8300 buses on most of the lucrative routes, exacerbating HRTC’s financial troubles.
The fare hike will particularly affect urban areas like Shimla, worsening traffic congestion and pollution as people turn to private vehicles for commuting.
The CPI(M) calls on the government to act as a welfare state by withdrawing the fare increases and strengthening public sector transport like HRTC.
The party cites examples from around the world where public transport has been taken back from private companies and, in some cases, made free for the public.
The financial status of the hrtc is even more deteriorating as they run just behind the private buses giving them all the passengers and running themselves empty.