From Sanjay Borkar in Margao for Daijiworld Media Network Goa.

Margao, Jan 11: Although the fuel price have come down and more yet to be, Goa government has hiked the fares of city bus tickets for first 3 kilometers to rupees 5. Earlier it was charged rupees 4.

State government have issued direction to all the state Transport authorities and regional transport authorities that the maximum fare chargeable by the operators of the stage carriages/city buses plying in the state of Goa shall be for first 3 Km to Rs. 5 and for every subsequent km Rs. 0.45.

Government decision of hiking the ticket for city buses has given a surprise shocks to the Goans. This just can’t happen when Murli Deora, Union Petroleum Minister has given hints of fuel prices will come down. Bus owners outcry was because the fuel price had gone up, but now when already the price have come down, what is the need to hike the ticket fare, said Shubhang Naik, business man from the city.

According to sources highway bus owners have also submitted the memorandum to hike the bus tickets for longer route. This may likely get the nod from government, as city bus has already got the hike.

Further government has said that for bonafide students of the state the bus fare would be at the concessional rate i.e 50 % of the rates mentioned.

In this regard when tried to contact Transport Minister Sudhin Dhavlikar , but it turned futile.