Shimla, Apr 20 (Reporter) Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the Himachal Pradesh government's decision to increase the minimum bus fare from Rs 5 to Rs 10—a steep 100 per cent hike. Calling the move anti-people, the CPI(M) has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the fare hike and warned of a statewide agitation if the government fails to reverse its decision. In a press statement issued by CPI(M) State Secretary Sanjay Chauhan, the party accused the state government of burdening the common people, particularly daily wage workers, farmers, students, employees, women, and the youth. The increase, according to CPI(M), would severely impact daily commuters who depend solely on buses due to the lack of railway lines and other transport options in the state. The party also criticised the earlier 50 per cent hike in school bus fares by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), saying such decisions reflect the government’s disregard for public welfare. Chauhan highlighted that while the government justifies the fare hike citing the ongoing financial crisis and HRTC’s losses, the real issue lies in the implementation of neo-liberal and privatisation policies by successive governments. According to CPI(M), these policies have led to a systematic weakening of HRTC, with profitable routes increasingly being handed over to private bus operators. Presently, HRTC operates on only 2,573 routes with 3,150 buses, while private operators run around 8,300 buses on most of the lucrative routes. The statement also expressed concern over the impact of the fare hike on urban centres like Shimla, warning that the increase could push more people to use private vehicles, thereby worsening the already critical traffic congestion and pollution levels in the city. The CPI(M) urged the government to fulfill its role as a welfare state by rolling back the fare hike and investing in strengthening public transport infrastructure like HRTC. Citing global examples where governments are reclaiming public transport from private hands and even offering free services, the party argued that privatisation in the transport sector has largely failed to serve public interest. Chauhan concluded with a firm warning that if the decision is not withdrawn, CPI(M) will mobilise mass protests across the state...////...