Finding it hard to generate revenue to do away with its liabilities, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) plans to surrender permits of at least 23 routes across Punjab to control expenditure.
It would thus save more than Rs 25 lakh per day that it pays as state road tax (SRT) to the transport department.
Though the exact routes could not known immediately, sources said permits of routes falling under Budhlada, Faridkot, Barnala and Kapurthala depots are to be surrendered, and a final call would be taken soon.
However, private buses on these routes will continue to cater to the people. PRTC authorities claimed these permits would be surrendered only temporarily, and there was hardly any service on these routes for many years due to shortage of buses.
Having failed to bear the cost of non-profitable routes, the PRTC had already shut down over 100 routes permanently.
PRTC buses have to pay of Rs 3 per kilometre as SRT for ordinary buses and Rs 2 for HVAC buses.
Besides, the increasing prices of diesel have increased expenditure. The situation became severe after the petroleum ministry put a ban on bulk purchase of diesel at lower rates.
{{/usCountry}}Besides, the increasing prices of diesel have increased expenditure. The situation became severe after the petroleum ministry put a ban on bulk purchase of diesel at lower rates.
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