Ahmedabad: Parents in Ahmedabad are set to face higher education-related expenses after school transport operators announced an increase in van and auto-rickshaw fares. Under the revised rates, monthly school van charges have been raised by ₹200, while auto-rickshaw fares have gone up by ₹100.

The fare hike comes amid growing concerns over inflation and rising fuel costs. Transport operators have cited increasing operational expenses, particularly higher CNG prices, as the primary reason for the revision.

The increase has sparked discussions among parents, many of whom are already coping with the financial burden of school fees, uniforms, books and other educational expenses at the start of the new academic year. Some observers have also linked the broader rise in transportation costs to volatility in global energy markets and fluctuations in fuel prices.

Rising fuel costs have a cascading effect on the economy, increasing transportation and logistics expenses and ultimately pushing up the prices of essential goods and services. School transportation services are among the sectors directly impacted by these cost pressures.

For many middle-class families, the latest fare hike is expected to put additional strain on household budgets, adding to concerns about managing education-related expenses in the months ahead. DeshGujarat