PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
In deference to the High Court order, the State Transport Authority, Uttarakhand has fixed the fares for school buses and vans among other vehicles. According to officials, a meeting was recently held with the chairman and transport commissioner of Uttarakhand Brijesh Kumar Sant in the chair. Other members present at the meeting included the executive engineer of the Public Works department, Chandrashekhar Joshi and the additional secretary and the additional legal advisor.
The officials informed that during this meeting, a crucial decision was made in the light of the order dated September 22, 2025, issued by the Nainital High Court. The court had directed determination of transportation charges for contract vehicles used for school purposes, including school buses, taxis and maxis. In response, a committee was formed under the chairmanship of the joint transport commissioner, Rajiv Kumar Mehra.
The officials added that the committee had taken into account various factors such as the average vehicle price, monthly installment expenses, driver’s salary, conductor’s salary, expenses for a female guard, motor vehicle tax, maintenance costs, insurance, fuel expenses, permit fees, fitness expenses and other relevant costs in order to determine transportation charges for vehicles used by educational institutions.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, the authority has decided the transportation charges. For school buses, the charges range from Rs 2,200 for distances up to 10 km, Rs 2,700 for 10-20 km, Rs 3,200 for 20-30 km, and Rs 3,700 for over 30 km. For school vans, the charges are Rs 2,100 for up to five km, Rs 2,500 for five-10 km, Rs 3,000 for 10-20 km and Rs 3,500 for over 20 km.
Notably, these changes in the fee structure are intended to ensure better service for students and their families.
