Pondy pvt bus owners threaten strike over fares

Puducherry,July 8(UNI)Puducherry Private Bus Owners Association has threatened to go on a day's token strike here on July 15 to press the government to effect an upward revision in bus fares.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister N Rangasamy yesterday, Association President Kannan and Secretary Dhandapani said bus fare in Puducherry was revised last in February 2002 when the diesel price was Rs 16.81 a litre.

Thereafter, the diesel prices were revised several times with the cost per litre now at Rs 35.42.However, the bus fare was not revised.

The bus operators were not in a position to ply their buses at the present rates and about 30 buses on rural routes had even stopped plying. Hence, the bus fares should be raised, they said.

Meanwhile, about 500 three-wheeler passenger tempos went off the road for the second day today following drivers' strike after owners increased the daily rental by Rs 100 to Rs 600.

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