PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug 4: Only half a dozen inter-state long-distance buses left the Sitaramdera Bus Terminus, Kolhan’s largest bus depot last night for Bihar and neighbouring Odisha.
The count of buses leaving the bus terminus on the first day i.e., August 1 after inter-state bus services resumed operation following relaxations in lockdown orders was four.
Lack of passengers due to off-season and reluctance of bus operators to run their buses in absence of a fare hike has given a blow to the inter-state service.
To make matters worse the state government’s ‘no AC, no fare hike’ diktat has upset the bus operators.
The fleet owners admitted that the latest government directive that prohibits the use of ACs in interstate buses and restricts fare-hike has come as a double blow for the bus operators.
Poor seat occupancy due to off-season has grounded several buses.
” Around 60 inter-state buses used to ply in various destinations of Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha, the number has now reduced to below 10. Apart from the low seat occupancy hike of diesel price – which rose by around Rs 40 in last three months has led to the sufferings of bus operators. The government should allow hike in ticket prices or else the bus operators who are already suffering would incur a heavy loss, ” explained Upendra Sharma, chief patron of Jamshedpur Bus Owners Association.
The members of the association met at the Sitaramdera Bus Terminus late on Tuesday evening to discuss the issue.
Though the meeting was inconclusive, most operators demanded a hike in ticket prices for various destinations.
They were also not happy over the restriction of not using AC.
” In this adverse and humid weather, AC is a must. No use of AC is also one of the reasons for low occupancy, ” pointed out a bus operator at the meeting.
R K Singh, a bus owner admitted, ” We are facing financial constraints in running the bus service due to the hike in diesel prices currently costing around Rs 95 per litre. If the government fails to pay heed to our problems it might prompt several operators to stop bus service, ” he said.
Significantly, the state-level body of fleet operators – Jharkhand Bus Owners Association had already pleaded before the state government to reconsider its decision on banning fare-hike and AC usage in interstate buses
Meanwhile, Covid tests for interstate passengers are being carried out at the bus terminus, said a health department official.
