The private bus fare from Salem to Erode has been increased to ₹50 from ₹43.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The increase in ticket fares by private buses in the district, without any prior notice, has severely impacted passengers, who are demanding that the government take steps to revise the fares.A few days ago, some private buses in the district increased their ticket fares. When passengers questioned this, the conductors claimed that the fare was rounded off due to issues with providing change. But, starting Saturday night, all the private buses hiked their ticket fares. There is no official information regarding the basis on which the private buses hiked the ticket fare.P. Manivannan (30), a resident of Erode who is working in Salem, said that every day he used to travel in a private bus from Erode to Salem. The ticket fare was ₹43. On Sunday morning, the bus conductor collected ₹50. “When questioned, the conductor told us that all the private buses had increased the fare from Saturday night. ‘Tamil Nadu Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban is from Salem. The fare was increased without any prior notice even in his home town. “People who had only ₹45 with them had to take a ticket for Veppadai from Salem instead of Erode. The government should take stern action on this issue and ensure the collection of old fare, he added.When contacted, Salem District Private Bus Owners’ Association secretary Raveendran was unavailable for comments.On condition of anonymity, a private bus owner said that due to increase in prices of fuel, insurance premiums, spare parts and salaries for bus conductors and drivers, bus owners had no option. For the past few years, the buses have been sustaining losses. However, the ticket fares were not hiked and the buses were operated at the fare fixed by the government. But, the operating expenses have increased now, he added.When contacted, Transport Department Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban was unavailable for comments. Published - July 06, 2026 07:02 pm IST
