'Don't violate norms while hiking fare'

Commuters complain against private bus operators

Allegations of private buses plying in the district collecting more fare than the fixed fare flouting rules echoed in the regional transport authority meeting convened by deputy commissioner N Jayaram in Chamarajanagar on Thursday.

The public put forth the grievances faced by them while travelling in private buses before the deputy commissioner and chairman of the authority, at a meeting held at the auditorium in DC’s office.

Prashantkumar of Rechamballi village said the private bus operators have hiked the fare citing hike in diesel prices.

As per rules they have to increase the fare by 65 paise per kilometre but they collect Re 1 per km. He also urged to direct the bus owners to implement fare fixed by the authorities and hike fare as per their whims. A memorandum has been submitted to the transport authority in this regard but no action has been taken so far.

A resident Vijaykumar held the middlemen or agents responsible for the trouble and said it is difficult to identify the bus conductor.

When public question them on the hike in fare, the so called agents who are in the bus quarrel with the people silencing them, he complained. Moreover, the substandard buses are inconveniencing the pasengers, he added.

G R Ashwathnarayana, a private bus owners president who replied said there is a possibility in the Act to increase the fare when the prices of fuel go up. He also said that only after the KSRTC informed about the price hike they had hiked the fare of private buses and a requisition has been sent to the department, he justified.

Deputy commissioner N Jayaram said the private bus operators are not supposed to hike the fare, without bringing it to the notice of the authority. The fares should also be hiked only as per the rules. The association has no rights to hike fares suddenly, he opposed.
Superintendent of police P Rajendraprasad, transport officer B R Vijaykumar and others were present.