Parents protest steep school bus fare hike, demand relief from govt

A large group of parents with children enrolled at Chapslee School staged a protest on Wednesday, voicing strong opposition to the recent hike in school bus fares implemented by the state government. The protesters called for an immediate rollback of the revised fare structure and urged authorities to introduce subsidies or special concessions to make school transportation more affordable.

The protesting parents expressed deep concern over the financial burden the fare hike has imposed, particularly on middle-income and low-income families. While they acknowledged the rising operational costs faced by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), they described the revised fares as “exorbitant and unaffordable.”

“While we understand that HRTC may need to revise fares to manage rising costs, the latest hike is excessive,” said one parent. “Until August 2024, the fare was Rs 600 from Sanjauli, Rs 900 from Dhalli and the Old Bus Stand and Rs 1,000 from Totu. These were raised in September 2024 to Rs 900, Rs 1,350 and Rs 1,500 respectively. Now, from June 2025, the fare structure has been simplified to just two slabs: Rs 1,800 per month for distances up to 5 km and Rs 2,500 for distances beyond that.”

Parents pointed out that the fare has more than doubled in less than a year, a jump they called unjustified and financially unsustainable for many working families.

“We urge the authorities to reconsider this fare structure and provide much-needed relief,” said one of the protestors. “We also request HRTC officials and state government representatives to meet with us, hear our concerns and work toward a fair and affordable solution.”

The protest highlighted growing frustration among parents who feel excluded from key decisions that directly impact their children’s access to education. Many emphasised that without prompt intervention, rising transport costs could lead to increased dropout rates or force families to consider less accessible schooling options.

Himachal Tribune