Guwahati, June 15: Daily commuters across Assam may soon have to pay significantly more for public transport as the All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA) has proposed a 70 per cent hike in passenger fares, citing rising fuel prices and increasing operational expenses.
The transport body has submitted a memorandum to the Assam Transport Commissioner seeking intervention and approval for the fare revision, which it says is necessary to offset the financial pressure faced by commercial vehicle operators.
According to AAMTA, passenger transport fares in the state have not seen any substantial revision since November 2011, when the Assam Transport Department approved a 25 per cent increase. During that period, diesel was available at around Rs 66 per litre. The association argued that transport operators have continued services despite steep increases in fuel costs, vehicle maintenance expenses, spare parts prices, insurance charges and overall inflation over the past 15 years.
As part of the proposed revision, the minimum bus fare in Assam would rise to Rs 20 from July 1. Transport operators contend that the increase is essential to maintain services and ensure the long-term viability of the sector.
The proposal has sparked concern among passengers, particularly those who rely on public transport for daily travel. Many commuters fear the hike will place an additional strain on household budgets already affected by rising living costs.
Ranjit Sharma, a private sector employee who travels daily between Beltola and Paltan Bazar in Guwahati, said the proposed increase would have a direct impact on his monthly expenses. He urged authorities to find a solution that balances the interests of both transport operators and passengers.
Similar concerns were echoed by college student Priyanka Das, who said that higher transport costs could be difficult for students and low-income families. She added that any fare increase should be accompanied by improvements in service quality, punctuality and passenger safety.
Transport operators, however, maintain that the revision is unavoidable given the current economic conditions and the mounting costs of running commercial vehicles.
The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the relevant authorities before the planned implementation date. If approved, the fare hike will affect passenger transport services throughout Assam and could have a significant impact on thousands of daily commuters across the state.
