Cuttack, May 15: Following the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices, private bus fares across Odisha have been increased, bringing relief to bus operators but adding pressure on commuters. The announcement was made by the State Private Bus Owners’ Association, which confirmed that the revised fares came into effect from Friday.

With fuel prices rising by ₹3 per litre, the association has adjusted fares across categories. Ordinary bus fares have gone up by 2 paise per kilometre, from 88 paise to 90 paise. Express buses will now charge 94 paise per kilometre, up from 92 paise. Deluxe buses have seen an increase from ₹1.27 to ₹1.31 per kilometre, while Super Deluxe fares have risen from ₹1.55 to ₹1.59 per kilometre. Super Premium buses will now charge ₹2.47 per kilometre, compared to the earlier ₹2.41.

General Secretary of the association, Debendra Sahu, said the fare hike was unavoidable given the rising fuel costs. He added that the new rates would help sustain operations and prevent service disruptions.

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Meanwhile, the State Transport Authority (STA) convened a crucial meeting chaired by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur to address the fuel crisis and ensure smooth transport services. Representatives from major oil companies including IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL, along with bus and truck owners’ associations, participated in the discussions.

One of the key proposals from the bus owners’ federation was to designate 2–3 petrol pumps in each district exclusively for buses, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply and preventing vehicles from being stranded mid-route. Oil company officials agreed to the proposal and assured that fuel supply would normalize within 48 hours.

Officials also clarified that there is currently no fuel shortage in the state, and measures are being taken to stabilize distribution. The revised bus fares, effective immediately, are expected to impact daily commuters but have been deemed necessary to maintain transport services amid rising costs.