Jammu, Dec 24: Jammu and Kashmir government, while conceding to the demands of transporters, has approved 18 percent fare hike across all categories of passenger vehicles operating in the Union Territory.
The revised fares will come into effect from January 1, 2026.
The decision has been widely welcomed by the transporters as the hike has been announced after the hectic deliberations with their (transporters’) representatives in a high-level meeting of the Fare Revision Committee (FRC), chaired by Principal Secretary Finance, Santosh D Vaidya at Civil Secretariat on December 23.
The meeting, aimed at deliberating upon the issue of revision of passenger transport fares across the Union Territory, was attended by Secretary Transport, Avny Lavasa; Acting Transport Commissioner, J&K, Anju Gupta; Managing Director JKRTC Abdul Rashid War; representative of Headquarters Northern Command (C/o 56 APO); Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir; Regional Transport Officer, Jammu, Additional Secretary GAD; members of the Committee, including representatives of various transporters’ associations of the Union Territory.
During the meeting, the representatives of the transporters submitted a proposal seeking a hike of 40 percent in passenger fares, citing a substantial increase in operational costs.
The Committee held a detailed and threadbare discussion on the matter, taking into account multiple factors such as the sharp rise in the cost of spare parts, fuel-related expenses, taxes, maintenance costs, and other operational inputs.
A comprehensive cost analysis exercise was also examined during the deliberations.
While acknowledging the genuine concerns raised by the transporters, the Committee also carefully considered the socio-economic impact of fare revision on the general public, with particular emphasis on ensuring that the common man was not subjected to an undue financial burden.
After extensive deliberations and consensus among all stakeholders, it was unanimously decided that an 18 percent increase in passenger fares would be implemented across all categories of passenger vehicles operating in the Union Territory.
“The decision reflects a balanced approach aimed at safeguarding the sustainability of the transport sector while simultaneously protecting the interests of commuters,” it was stated by the government representatives, following the meeting.
From the transporters’ representatives, prominent persons present during the meeting included All J&K Transport Welfare Association chairman Karan Wazir, Vijay Singh Chib, Mohd Yousuf, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Mohd Latif, Ghulam Rasool, Sanjeev Choudhary, Vijay Dogra, Parvinder Singh, Pankaj Verma, Kuldeep Singh, Gurdeep Singh and Labh Singh.
On Wednesday, in a press conference, J&K Transport Welfare Association president Devinder Chowdhary extended gratitude to the government, particularly the Principal Secretary Finance, Santosh D Vaidya and Secretary Transport, Avny Lavasa for approving an increase in passenger fare.
“We had asked for a 35 percent hike as fares were not hiked during the past five years and our cost of operation also amounted to 35 percent. However, the government convinced us for an 18 percent hike while pleading the case of the general public. We have been promised that a proposal for yearly hike in passenger fare too will be moved,” Chowdhary said.
