Fares rise across vehicle categories
Saqib Rather
Srinagar, Apr 29: Commuters across Jammu and Kashmir will soon feel the pinch as the government has approved a fresh revision in public transport fares, raising rates by up to 18 percent across multiple categories of passenger vehicles.
The Transport Department, in a notification issued on Tuesday, confirmed that the revised fare structure will apply to a wide range of vehicles, including buses of different capacities, taxis, maxi cabs, auto-rickshaws, and other stage carriage services. The move comes amid growing concerns from transport operators over increasing fuel prices and maintenance costs.
A senior official from the department said the revision was unavoidable. “Transporters have been consistently highlighting the surge in operational expenses over the past year. This adjustment is aimed at keeping services viable without causing abrupt disruption to the commuting public,” the official stated.
In a notable step, the government has also formally introduced fare guidelines for electric public transport. Under the new structure, e-rickshaw rides will be charged at ₹15 per kilometre. For e-autos, passengers will pay ₹25 for the first kilometre and ₹20 for every additional kilometre thereafter.Transport Commissioner officials emphasized that the revised rates were calculated after careful consideration.
“We have tried to strike a balance. While operators need relief to sustain their services, commuters’ affordability has also been kept in mind,” an official said.However, the decision has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Daily commuters expressed concern over the added financial burden. “Everything is getting expensive—fuel, food, and now transport.
It’s becoming difficult to manage daily expenses,” said Aamir Ahmad, a private employee in Srinagar.
On the other hand, transport operators have welcomed the move, calling it long overdue. “We have been operating under immense pressure due to rising costs. This revision gives us some breathing space,” said Bashir Ahmed, a local bus operator.The new fare structure is expected to come into effect immediately following its implementation by the Transport Commissioner’s office.
Authorities have also indicated that enforcement teams will monitor compliance to ensure that passengers are not overcharged beyond the prescribed rates.The fare revision marks the first major update in public transport pricing in the region in recent times, reflecting broader economic pressures impacting both service providers and commuters alike.
