Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, April 29 

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved an 18% increase in fares for commercial passenger vehicles across the union territory, according to an official notification issued on Wednesday.

The fare revision, cleared under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, partially modifies an earlier order issued on March 19, 2021, the Transport Department said.

Secretary Transport Piyush Singla directed the Transport Commissioner to implement revised maximum fares for a range of public transport services, including buses, taxis, cabs, auto-rickshaws and other stage carriage vehicles.

The revised rates will apply as an 18% increase over existing fares notified in 2021 and will come into force as directed by the competent authority, the notification said.

The order covers multiple categories of vehicles, including large, medium and mini buses, as well as different classes of taxis and maxi cabs — from basic contract carriages to premium tourist vehicles.

The government also set fares for electric three-wheelers, fixing e-rickshaw rates at 15 rupees per kilometre, while e-auto fares will be 25 rupees for the first kilometre and 20 rupees for each additional kilometre.

Officials said the move aims to revise fare structures in line with prevailing costs across the transport sector.