The average increase in price per student will be Rs50 for picnics outside the city and Rs25 within Mumbai.
Picnics and field trips for school and college students will cost 40% more starting November 1. Following auto, taxi and BEST buses, private buses are now demanding increased rates. The average increase in price per student will be Rs50 for picnics outside the city and Rs25 within Mumbai.
Private and luxury bus operators took this decision in a meeting on Sunday, following the government’s delay in allowing these buses access to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) permits to travel beyond Mumbai city limits.
With the season of school picnics and field trips coming closer, parents of students will be the most affected by this decision.
According to information provided by Anil Garg, president and co-ordinator for the school and company luxury bus association, a round trip from Andheri to EsselWorld which used to cost Rs5,000 will now cost Rs7,000, and a round trip from Andheri to Shangrila Resort Waterpark, which used to cost Rs5,500, will now cost Rs7,500.
Garg said, “The government has given BEST buses, taxis and autos access to these MMRDA permits. Our demand for the same was passed in the cabinet six months ago, but there has been no implementation. Every day we have to pay Rs1,000 for taking permits even to go to Thane. So if we have to go for a trip beyond Dahisar on the western side and beyond Mulund on the central side or beyond Vashi, we have to pay. Also, toll taxes have been increased. To cope with these hikes and the delay by the government in giving us permits, we had no other option but to increase our rates.”
“However, if the government gives the MMRDA permits to our buses, there will be no increase in rates,” he added.
Garg continued, “This is going to affect international and ICSE schools a lot since they conduct several field trips between November and January.”
Kiran Bajaj, principal, Green Lawns School, said, “We do not make trips compulsory. But some students would surely be affected with the increased rates. We also understand the association’s demands. But we still have to discuss this matter with parents.”
Arundhati Chavan, president of the Parents Teachers’ Association, said, “In the association’s attempt to pressurise the government, parents will suffer. There should be a proper system to take decisions. The transport department should take care of all these issues. Why should parents have to come into the picture every time?”
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