Tamil Nadu: Conductor asks luggage fare for carrying chocolate boxes in a TNSTC bus

CHENNAI: In a bizarre incident, two bus commuters have paid Rs 33 each towards luggage fare for carrying chocolate boxes weighing about 480 grams on their laps in a bus operated by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation.

The incident occurred in the Chennai-Polur ultra deluxe bus on December 7. S Panneerselvam, a proprietor of a supermarket in Polur in Tiruvannamalai district, accompanied by his family friend, purchased some iron material from a hardware company in Chennai and booked a vehicle to transport it to Polur. He was given a compliment of two boxes, each containing 480 grams of Kinder Joy chocolates.

On the same day, around 10.00 pm, he and his friend boarded the Chennai-Polur UD (202) bus at Koyambedu for the journey back home. He purchased two tickets for `250 from the bus conductor Jagathratchagan.

A few minutes later, when the bus was running towards Poonamallee, the conductor asked the duo to pay luggage fare for the chocolate boxes on their laps.

Shocked over this, Panneerselvam replied that the chocolate boxes were carried in their laps only and that too, they weighed less than 500 grams. However, the conductor did not buy their point and insisted on paying the luggage fare. As an argument broke out, the conductor allegedly abused the passenger and threatened to throw him out if he did not pay the luggage fare.

He stopped the bus near Poonamallee. Panneerselvam finally yielded and bought the tickets for ‘two luggages’ each for `33 and then continued his travel.

Upon reaching Polur, he lodged a complaint against the conductor with the Polur TNSTC branch manager for his unruly behaviour. The complaint was forwarded to the Tiruvannamalai general manager.

“The conductor was rude and used abusive language when I confronted him over luggage fare. As I had cash, I purchased the ticket, even though I knew it was unjustified. What if a passenger did not have money and de-boarded during night hours,” asked Panneerselvam, adding that he demanded action against the conductor.

When Express contacted, TNSTC Tiruvannamalai region,  general manager Natarajan said he had scheduled an inquiry with the conductor in a few days and assured that if luggage fare was erroneously collected, appropriate action would be taken.