With the meeting between the bus owners’ unions and state transport minister not leading to any concrete solution on Tuesday, the bus owners have threatened to go on a strike unless the government considers revision of the new fare chart.

The present bus fare structure includes Rs 4 for 0 to 4 kilimotres, Rs 6 for 4 to 16 kilometres, Rs 7 for 16 to 20 kilometres and Rs 8 for 20 to 24 kilometres.

As per the new chart the fares will be Rs 5 for a distance of 4 to 8 km, Rs 5.50 for 8 to 12 km and Rs 6 for 12 to 16 kilometres and Rs 7 for 16 to 24 kilometres.

The decision of the transport department to apply the new fare structure from February 10, however, was opposed by the bus owners. On Tuesday Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty said the matter will be discussed in the government on Wednesday and a decision will be taken.

“On Wednesday we will have a state government meeting to discuss the matter raised by the bus owners. In Tuesday’s meeting both sides discussed their demands and tomorrow we will announce the final decision,” said Chakraborty.

Bengal Bus Syndicate and Joint Council of Bus Syndicate laid their demand of altering the fare chart in two stages. One is to keep the kilometre from 8 to 16 under one stage and charge Rs 6 for it and second to charge Rs 8 for 20 to 24 kilometres like earlier.

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