Passenger bus services cancelled following strike

Imphal, Oct 3 (UNI) The All Manipur Bus Owners' Association today started a stir demanding a hike in fare following which all inter-state bus services were cancelled.

A Priyokumar Singh, president of the All Manipur Bus Owners' Association (AMBOA), demanded that the bus fare should be increased by about 30 per cent.

''The present fare, which is in vogue since March 2005, is 44 paise per km in the valley areas and Rs 1.48 per km in the hill areas. When the fare came into force, the diesel cost was around Rs 25 per litre whereas now it costs Rs 33.84 per litre,'' he said.

''The cost of spare parts of vehicles has also skyrocketed, hence there is a need for a hike in the fare. With the growing rise in the prices of essential commodities, it has become hard for us to make both ends meet,'' he added.

The association, meanwhile, decided to stop all services as the state government did not raise the fare. The association, however, said bus services for school children were not affected by the strike.

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