On the day the bus fare increase came into effect on Saturday, commuters claimed that the ordinary buses (white board) services went scarce and the ‘Express’ and ‘Deluxe’ buses, in which the fare has almost doubled, ruled the roads. Passengers demanded the officials to increase ordinary services.
Factfile
Chennai:
Sources said that even though MTC claimed operation of around 40 per cent ordinary buses in the city and suburbs, only around 20 per cent of such buses are being run. With an aim to increase revenue, the officials operate 50 to 60 per cent of deluxe buses in the long and main routes in the city. But, officials claim that out of 92 Volvo A/C buses, only 20 buses are being operated.
“It is very rare that ordinary buses are seen on the main roads. But, the express and deluxe buses rule the roost. We are afraid that considering the new fare, the MTC can operate more number of deluxe services, as the new fare has almost doubled in these buses,” said a commuter. Since such buses collect more fare, the government should increase more ordinary buses in the city, added the commuter.
An MTC official, on condition of anonymity, admitted that officials convert ordinary buses (white board) into express services by merely changing the boards during peak time and festival seasons for revenue and the corporation is operating a minimum number of ordinary buses on the routes, which fail to have much patronage.
It may be noted that the government has raised maximum fare of deluxe buses to Rs 48, while the minimum is Rs 12. Similarly, for express buses the maximum fare has gone up to Rs 35, while the minimum fare for such buses is Rs 8.
Madurai commuters stage spontaneous protest
People protest in front of Periyar bus stand in Madurai on Saturday
Condemning the hike in bus fares, people staged a protest in front of Periyar bus stand here on Saturday. After the ticket price hike was implemented, passengers argued with conductors in many buses.
Because of the unexpected increase, many of the passengers did not have enough money to return to their homes. A small group of passengers, who felt agitated, started staging a road roko in front of Periyar bus stand.
They raised slogans demanding the government to withdraw the price hike and said that working class is affected more than anybody else. Police removed the protesters from the spot and took six persons, including two women, under custody. Similarly, in Thirumangalam, CITU members staged a protest condemning the hike.
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