Overcharging on buses? Wait till new government takes charge

Chennai: When Senthil Kumar P, who frequently travels in state buses to his hometown, found that as a passenger he was made to shell out excess money for the service, he filed a PIL against the state corporation buses charging higher than the prescribed fares.

But in a hearing on Monday, he was asked to withdraw the case until the next government comes to power post state elections.

The court order was based on the judge’s opinion that with officials being busy due to elections, no action can be promised on the issue. According to GO issued in November 2011, the minimum fares prescribed for town services by state run buses were revised to Rs 3. Similarly, for ordinary and express services in the state, the minimum fares were Rs 5 and Rs 7.

“On the routes in Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur, express buses, which are meant to cover distances more than 80 km should have limited stoppages on the route, but TNSTC express buses halt at all stops making travel time much longer,” added Senthil.

In his PIL, Senthil has mentioned two major issues of ordinary buses plying as express but not reducing stoppages. The next issue is about excess distance being charged. For instance, Koyambedu to Tiruvanmiyur is 18 km according to an RTI response by NHAI but TNSTC calculates fare taking that distance as 26 km, thus charging excessively.

“Sriperumbudur to Kanchipuram highways distance is 35 km wherein TNSTC shows 40 km, Koyambedu to Thiruvanmiyur highways distance will not be more than 20 km but TNSTC is collecting Rs 15 which is the fare fixed for 26 km,” he added. “Multiple fares also should be done away with so that everyone can afford bus transport,” said V.R. Rao, activist.