Bus fare slashed in Odisha following reduction in fuel rates

Cuttack: A day after the Odisha government reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, bus fares were slashed under the automatic fare revision mechanism devised by the government.

Secretary of the All-Odisha Private Bus Owners’ Association, Debendra Sahu informed fares of for travelling in ordinary and express buses have been cut by five paise per km. In case of deluxe and AC Deluxe buses, the fare has been slashed by 10 paise per km.

Bus fare for ordinary buses were reduced to 87 paise per km from 92 paise whereas fare of express buses cut to 91 paise per km from 96 paise and deluxe buses Rs 1.25 from Rs 1.35.

In case of AC deluxe buses, fare was reduced from Rs 1.63 to Rs 1.53 and super premium from Rs 2.53 to Rs 2.38.

Since midnight of November 5, the VAT on petrol and diesel were cut by Rs 3 per litre as announced by the Odisha government.

The Central government on November 3 reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 per litre, respectively.

Earlier, the Odisha government, on October 16, increased the fares of ordinary and express category buses by three paise per kilometer. Fare of deluxe and AC deluxe buses were hiked by six paise per kilometers whereas super premium category bus fare was increased by nine paise per km.