Himachal govt not to hike bus fares, says Transport Minister

"The state transport will not hike bus fare," Bali told reporters here.

The recent hike of diesel price for bulk users has hit the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) badly, he said.

"But we wouldn't burden the common man. We will overcome the additional burden by cutting down our operational losses."

The HRTC, with a fleet over 1,200 buses, had losses of Rs.572.79 crore up to March 31, 2011 against Rs.230.06 crore in 2010, say officials.

Private bus operators in the state have also been demanding a hike in fare after the central government raised the diesel price by 50 paise per litre this month.