Citing a sharp jump in fuel prices, the Ahmedabad school transport association Wednesday announced a hike in transportation fares for the new academic session.
The school rickshaw fare has been increased by Rs. 100 per month and that of school vans by Rs. 150, the association said in a statement today.
The minimum fare for school rickshaws has been revised from Rs. 550 to Rs. 650 a month, and that of school vans from Rs. 850 to Rs. 1,000. The fare will go up by Rs. 100 per km for school rickshaws and by Rs. 200 per km in the case of school vans, it said.
“Prices of CNG and petrol have gone up sharply in recent times. Other expenses have also increased, which has led us to revise the fares. The fares were last revised in June 2018, and the latest revision comes after a gap of three years. We appeal to parents to cooperate with us,” said Dharmendra Brahmbhatt, president of the association, urging vehicle drivers to comply with the pandemic guidelines.
Schools that offer transportation services to their students are also expected to increase the transportation fee due to the sharp jump in fuel prices and other costs.
School transport services were shut since March last year as students were learning in online mode. It is only since July that physical teaching has resumed in schools in Gujarat. CNG prices are up by 30% since October. The government had approved a hike in passenger auto-rickshaw fares earlier this month in view of the fuel price rise.