Odisha Government Announces Fare Structure for LAccMI Buses

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Commerce and Transport Department has released the fare structure for buses operating under the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI). These details were communicated via an official order to the State Transport Authority and Regional Transport Authorities in Odisha.

According to the new fare schedule, non-AC buses introduced to enhance block connectivity within the LAccMI scheme will charge passengers fares ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 30, depending on the travel distance within an 80 km radius. On the other hand, AC buses designed to improve district connectivity within the LAccMI program will charge fares between Rs 10 and Rs 80 for journeys up to 80 km.

To promote accessibility and affordability, the Transport Department has also announced fare concessions for women, students, and physically disabled passengers using buses under the LAccMI scheme. For block connectivity bus services, these passengers will be charged a flat fare of Rs 5, while for district connectivity, the fare is set at Rs 10, irrespective of the distance travelled.

In a move to support students, the fare concession will be applicable in both block and district connectivity bus services under the LAccMI scheme, provided that valid school/college ID cards or authenticated proof from a competent authority are presented.

The LAccMI initiative was introduced in the state budget to facilitate bus services from panchayats to block headquarters, from block headquarters to district headquarters, and from district headquarters to the capital city. The government’s plan is to operate 1,000 buses under this scheme, with a budgetary allocation of Rs 3,178 crore.

Initially launched in six southern districts, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Gajapati, the LAccMI scheme aims to improve rural transportation and connectivity.