RTC strike post dasara passengers fret and fume over fleecing by private operators

Hyderabad: Exorbitant bus fares, non-issuance of tickets to passengers and prolong waiting at bus stations are the order of the day at every bus stand in districts since the RTC employees have gone on indefinite strike.

In view of the strike of RTC workers from October 5, the State government roped in the private operators and operated the RTC buses by hired drivers in all parts of the State so that people could reach their native places to celebrate Dasara festival.

However, commuters were seen arguing with the conductors of the private operators for collecting double fares from them. The passengers from Warangal lodged a complaint with RTC authorities in Hyderabad that the bus operators fleeced them by charging Rs 250 per ticket instead of Rs 120 the actual fare on Warangal - Hyderabad bound express buses. Conductors were also not issuing tickets, a passenger complained.

K Ramaiah, a private employee in Hyderabad, said the bus passengers had to shell out more form their pockets to reach their destinations. In some cases, passengers were forced to get down the buses for not paying the exorbitant fares without any intimation in advance on the post festival day.

The passengers were also made to wait for hours at some pickup points in view of thin occupancy in the buses in some routes in districts. Meanwhile, State Transport Minister P Ajay warned the bus operators of stringent action if they were caught collecting hefty fares from the passengers.

The bus operators were instructed to display the fare chart in every bus, and also allow the bus pass holders to travel without any problem. All the depot in-charges have been asked to resume bus operations according to the schedule fixed earlier.

A control room would be opened in every bus depot and DSP ( District Superintendent of Police ) will be the in-charge of the centre .

In view of the reopening of schools and colleges from October 14 after the Dussehra vacation, the Minister asked the RTC authorities to run all local buses and ensure students reach the institutions timely in the morning hours. According to officials, the Corporation operated 8,150 buses including 3,013 RTC buses, 1,804 RTC hire buses, 696 private buses and 2,637 maxi cabs.