PUNE: Despite severe opposition from citizen groups, Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Thursday approved the fare hike proposal submitted by the PMPML.

The revised fares will be implemented from Sunday (August 1) with minimum fare for a PMPML bus journey set to become Rs five, two rupees costlier than the previous fare.

Board of Directors of PMPML had given a nod to the demand for a fare hike pressed by the management of the transport utility. Rise in fuel prices along with growing internal expenses were the prime reasons put forth by PMPML bosses as a ground for fare hike.

However, citizen groups refused to buy these claims by PMPML and termed the hike as unjust and unnecessary.

Meanwhile, citizen groups have also written a joint letter to the Bombay High Court seeking its intervention into the fare hike issue. 

Civic activists, in a letter to the Court, have argued that the RTA should not be allowed to take a decision in the matter of fare hike of the PMPML, as RTA chairman Dilip Band also holds additional charge as the chairman and MD of the transport utility.