Chennai: Conductors not comfortable with ticket machines

CHENNAI: After additional secretary of transport department P.W.C. Davidar announced about the re-introduction of Electronic Ticket Machines (ETM) to dispatch tickets on all routes of MTC by August 20, conductors rue that they are numerous problems associated with ETMs. Moreover, with the current economic condition of the department, they say the money must be spent on “more important” things.

“A conductor going on a full shift, which is 16-18 hours per day is given two ticket machines because they quickly get discharged. During the monsoon, the rain water enters inside, as most of the buses are in a bad condition. Many times, ticket machines break down as the water enters inside them and ironically, we were charged a penalty of '18,000,” said A. Vijayarajan, a conductor. He further added that hanging the extra ETM on the neck is causing issues and previously, the department not compelling the machines has started forcing us again after Davidar’s announcement.

In another incident, after a ticket was recorded, the paper got struck and the conductor had to give a manual ticket to the commuter. Back at the depot, he had to pay the amount of the extra ticket from his own pocket. There were instances when four to five tickets got printed when the command was given for one ticket. Some sources also said that they switch off the machines two to three times a day before completing the shift to sustain the charge. But, due to this, the date gets changed and other issues arise.

Recently, 65 bus tickets dated August 1 were issued by a conductor of 102 Cut bus from Tidel Park to Siruseri IT Park on July 31.  He claimed that he failed to notice the change in date when he re-started the machine. Informed sources from the department alleged that the company supplying machines had been giving commission to branch managers to use the ETMs. However, the company denied the allegations. Most of the workers also said they do not know how to use the machines – the reason why they avoid using ETMs. Previously, workshops were conducted to train the conductors, but now that seldom happens.