APSRTC hikes cess on diesel, bus fares rise

AMARAVATI: The APSRTC on Thursday increased the diesel cess on bus tickets to offset the losses incurred as diesel prices have skyrocketed. APSRTC chairman A. Mallikarjuna Reddy and MD Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said in a statement on Thursday that the diesel cess would inevitably increase and would come into effect from Friday as the RTC was facing an additional burden of Rs 2.50 crore per day.

However, the hike is exempted for the minimum distance travel and is applicable on journeys of longer distances. Also, the diesel cess on city buses has not been increased.

In December 2019, the price of diesel in the market was Rs.67 per liter and by April this year, it has reached Rs.107 with a spike of Rs.40 per litre. The RTC is inevitably imposing diesel cess from April 13 this year to partially compensate for the losses. Currently, RTC has to bear an additional loss of Rs.2.50 crore as the price of bulk diesel has reached Rs.131 per litre.

The RTC claims that the financial burden has increased as the prices of bus maintenance and spare parts have also hiked. To compensate this to some extent, the decision was taken to increase the diesel cess.

It is learned that diesel cess has not been increased up to 30 km in Palle Velugu buses, 30 km in express services, 20 km in ultra-deluxe buses, 55 km in super luxury services, 35 km in AC services, and 55 km in Amaravati services respectively. The APSRTC said that student bus pass charges also will be increased minimally and requested people to kindly understand and co-operate. It also assured to provide safe and comfortable travel services.