Govt hikes mini-bus fares, operators say not enough

Fare is fixed at minimum of ₹4 for first 4 km and ₹10 for up to 20 km

- B ANBUSELVAN @Chennai

AFTER nearly 24 years, the state government has raised mini-bus fares, setting the minimum at ₹4 for the first four kilometres and ₹10 for 20 kilometres, compared to the fare announced in 2000 with a minimum of ₹2 for the first two kilometres and ₹4.75 for 20 kilometres. The revised fare will come into effect on May 1, as per a recent order issued by Home Secretary Dheeraj Kumar.

A gazette notification, issued by the Home (Transport) department, listed the revised fares as follows: ₹4 for the first four kilometres, ₹5 for four to six kilometres, ₹6 for six to eight kilometres, ₹7 for eight to 10 kilometres, ₹8 for 10-12 km, ₹9 for 12-18 km, and ₹10 for up to 20 km.