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.

“We are not accepting the new proposed fare structure. We want changes in two cases, which we have told the minister today. While the Centre announced a cut of Rs 2 in diesel prices, the state imposed sales tax and took Re 1 in its pocket. We never want the public to suffer but if the government does not take our interests into consideration, we will protest,” said Swarnakomol Saha, president, Bengal Bus Syndicate.

Bus owners pointed out that since the price of petroleum products like mobile, brake oil, grease, among others, have not come down, the bus owners will face problems if the fare is decreased.

“We want round figures as the issue of change also creates problems. While the state is imposing extra sales tax, they are trying to gain public sympathy by hitting our pockets. We have been assured that the matter will be looked into and we are waiting for Wednesday’s meeting,” said Sadhan Saha, president, Joint Council of Bus Syndicate.