Passengers traveling by private buses in Jharkhand may soon have to pay higher fares, as bus operators indicate that a fare revision is unavoidable due to rising fuel prices and escalating operational costs.
Fuel Price Surge
In Ranchi, diesel is currently priced at Rs 100.49 per litre, while petrol costs Rs 105.29 per litre. Before the latest round of hikes on May 15, diesel was available at Rs 92.60 per litre and petrol at Rs 97.85 per litre. Fuel prices have been revised four times since then, and bus operators say the impact is now directly affecting their operations.
Operators Under Pressure
Sachidanand Singh, president of the Jharkhand Bus Owners’ Association, stated, “Fare revision will happen. Operators are under immense pressure, and it is becoming difficult to continue at existing rates. Diesel price has crossed Rs 100, and every long-distance trip is costing significantly more than before.” He added that once fares are revised, interstate night buses to Patna or Varanasi may see an increase of up to Rs 50 per seat, while buses to nearby districts such as Jamshedpur, Lohardaga, Chatra, and Simdega could experience a 10-15% hike.
Ashfaque Azam, president of the Ranchi Bus Owners’ Association, highlighted other rising costs: “Tyre prices have increased sharply over the past year. Batteries are expensive, urea prices have gone up, engine oil and lubricants cost more, and even basic spare parts have become costlier. Maintenance costs have gone up across the board. Bus owners are no longer in a position to absorb the burden.”
Passenger Concerns
Commuters at Ranchi’s Khadgarha bus stand expressed worries about the financial strain. Rahul Verma, a regular traveler, said, “I travel to Jamshedpur at least twice a month. If ticket prices go up by even Rs 30-40, it adds to our burden. Students and workers will feel the impact immediately.”
Operators have indicated that if fuel prices remain high, revised fares could begin reflecting particularly on interstate and long-distance services, affecting thousands of daily passengers across the state.
