WB loan may get delayed without bus fare hike

WB loan may get delayed without bus fare hike
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MARCH 3: A world bank loan of Rs 192 crore which was to be given to the BEST under MUTP 2 for increasing its fleet by 1403 buses may be delayed if the undertaking does not introduce a fare hike soon, says BEST general manager Rahul Asthana. Asthana has said that the undertaking's cash flow position is critical besides which the WB does not approve of the transport wing being sustained by the electricity wing and would prefer if the bus division is self-sustained.

``With the 35 per cent hike in diesel prices and deposits coming down tremendously, the plan to spend Rs 185 crore next year on capital budget like buses, bus stands etc will have to be stalled. Without the bus fare hike we are getting at least Rs 40 lakh less per day,'' said Asthana. The BEST committee's request to the State Government for relief some time back by waiving passenger tax and nutrition charge on tickets was rejected.

The BEST had as on April 1, '99 an amount of Rs 236 crores with various banks in the form of short term deposits, investment of generation of electricity fund, investment in government securities and in current account in banks. However, the availability of funds and overall liquidity of the Undertaking has been under tremendous pressure and as on February 21, 2000 the total amount fell down to Rs 147 crores.

BEST committee members have also demanded that the undertaking should give concessions to handicapped persons with 40 per cent disabilities. At present though all government bodies give concessions to the above, the BEST recognises only those with 60 per cent disabilities.

Members have also asked the management to introduce a senior citizens' card which would facilitate easier entry for them in buses. They added that senior citizens should be allowed to get in from the exit door at the starting point of a journey. At present, they can do so at all other stops other than the starting point.