Dimapur, September 7 (MExN): With the new COVID-19 guidelines restricting commercial passenger vehicles from carrying more than 50 percent of its seating capacity, private bus operators in Nagaland have announced hike in bus fares to ease their losses.
A statement the All Nagaland Private Bus Union (ANPBU) dated September 4 informed that the Union has been ‘compelled to enhance the route rate,’ in order to maintain social distancing in the vehicles.
The statement shared on social media on September 7 was confirmed to be genuine by a private bus operator.
The latest fare revision indicates an increase of over 25 percent to 60 percent from the old rates. For example, the old rate for ‘Dimapur to Guwahati’ has been increased by 60 percent to Rs 800 per person as compared to Rs 500 before the revision.
Similarly, the rate for travel between Dimapur to Tuensang has been enhanced to Rs 950 (32 percent) from the previous rate of Rs 750.
The revised rates will be applicable to all private buses run by service providers registered with the ANPBU, and are set to impact passengers travelling from Dimapur to other parts of the state as well as the neighbouring northeastern states.
