Tamil Nadu gets extended deadline to revise bus fares, HC rules

The Madras High Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for the Tamil Nadu government to announce revised bus fares, granting a four-week extension to complete the process. The decision came during hearings on petitions challenging the existing fare structure, which has remained largely unchanged for over five years despite substantial fluctuations in fuel costs.

The current bus fare was last revised in 2018 at ₹0.58 per kilometre when diesel prices stood at ₹67.50 per litre. Transport officials have pointed out that diesel now costs approximately ₹100 per litre, representing a spike of over 48 percent since the last revision. This disparity has prompted calls from transport operators and the government for a fare adjustment to ensure the financial viability of bus services.

The state-run transport undertaking has been operating buses at increasingly compressed margins, with rising operational costs straining its finances. The extended timeframe will allow the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the fare structure, taking into account current fuel prices, maintenance costs, and other operational expenses.

The court's decision reflects the complexity involved in recalibrating public transport fares, which must balance the financial sustainability of services against affordability concerns for commuters. The government is expected to present its revised fare proposal before the deadline, subject to further judicial scrutiny if petitions are renewed.