Panaji, Nov 29 (TOI): The transport deparment has decided to hike the bus tariff from the minimum fare of Rs 8 for the first four km to Rs 10.

A senior transport official told TOI that the proposal of fare hike has been sent to the government for approval. The proposed minimum fare also suggests a charge of Rs 5 after every eight km.

Private bus owners have opposed this proposal and have decided to file an objection with the transport department.

“We will file an objection on Thursday and we will request them to correct the slab of Rs 10 for the first 4 km and make it Rs 10 for first 3 km instead,” said All Goa Private Bus Owners’ Association president Sudeep Tahmankar.

The bus fare was last hiked in 2013 from Rs 5 to Rs 8 for the same distance.

The fresh hike is expected to be extended to buses of the government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) from December 2018.

“We have not received any official information about the hike. If the government notification comes through we will increase our rates as well to 16% on the existing fare,” said KTC general manager Sanjay Ghate.

For instance, the shuttle bus fare on the Panaji - Margao route will be increased by Rs 3. The existing fare will go up from Rs 36 to Rs 39, he said.

Private bus owners said that buses operating on long routes will not benefit much from the hike.

“Routes ending in 12km (Panaji-Mapusa existing fare Rs 14), 18 km (Panaji-Calangute, Rs 18) and 29 km (Panaji-Ponda, Rs 26) will not benefit from the fare hike. For instance, after implementation, the Mapusa-Panaji route will calculate to Rs 15 for 12 km to the passenger over the existing fare of Rs 14. A hike of Re 1 is very low remuneration for operators of this route,” said Tahmankar.

“The fare hike is not of any profit to bus owners. The cost of diesel has increased and all other relevant parts like insurance of vehicle have also increased. Bus driving in Goa is a loss-making business, today. The government should resume the diesel subsidy that was discontinued a few years ago to help us,” said All Goan Stage Carriers’ Association president Sudesh Kalangutkar.