MUMBAI: The state transport department on Sunday launched a helpline for citizens to lodge complaints against private tourist buses charging excess fares in
Maharashtra.
"Commuters who come across private buses charging more than 1.5 times the normal
MSRTC rates should register complaints on tollfree number 022-62426666. Every complaint will be treated seriously and an inquiry will be conducted. If found guilty, we can suspend or cancel the the errant bus operator’s permit,” said additional transport commissioner
Satish Sahasrabudhe.
They can also log on to in their
complaints to lodge plaints. Sources said the department has also created a special squad that will keep tabs on buses, check incognito and find out if private buses are overcharging passengers. Last week, the state government issued a notification putting a cap on fares of private tourist buses plying across the state and from cities like Mumbai and Pune to various parts of the country. The notification said that buses can charge 50% more than the normal MSRTC fare. If the normal fare on a particular route is Rs 1,000, the private operator can charge commuters a maximum of Rs 1,500 for the trip.
The new rule will apply to all journeys within the state, including popular inter-city routes such as Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai-Kolhapur and Mumbai-Nashik. It will also apply to inter-state routes such as Mumbai-Udaipur, Mumbai-Goa, Mumbai-Bengaluru among other popular routes.
Harsh Kotak of Mumbai Bus
Malak Sanghatana said due to competition, private operators were charging less than MSRTC buses on several routes. “Does the government want us to charge more by giving us freedom to levy 50% extra ?” he asked.
Representative image