Private bus owners face MVD music for permit violation

The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has strengthened legal action against a section of bus operators in the rural areas who cancel their regular trips on the permitted routes and operate other special services without the permission of authorities.

Within a month, six such private buses were intercepted by MVD squads, and were imposed hefty fines.

MVD officials said the unlawful services were causing inconvenience to commuters.

It was also affecting the income of other permitted tourist bus operators in the district, they said.

Tourist bus owners from the district said the department swung into action mainly on the basis of their complaints. Most of the illegal services of private buses were conducted for wedding functions and several such buses had already been intercepted by authorities, they said.

Tourist bus operators saw a steep decline in their income with the entry of private bus operators to the field by offering lesser rates. Their business was hit even during peak seasons.

Most of the illegal services were found in Koduvally and Thamarassery regions. Officials said they would cancel the permit of such buses if the operators conducted the services again. They pointed out that the cancellation of permitted schedules for other services was a direct violation of rules and the permit of such owners could be suspended on the spot.

Tourist bus owners have also come up with a demand to end the practice of hiring private buses for various mass rallies and campaigns organised by political parties and other organisations.