THANE: The city transport department is all set to crack down on private
bus operators to prevent them from fleecing commuters travelling during the Ganpati festival.
Several squads will be formed to ensure compliance with the state notification that caps fares of private buses to a maximum of 50% over the MSRTC fare charged for the same route, a senior official said.
“Passengers can alert us in case they are overcharged and action will be taken against the operator under section 86 of the Motor vehicles Act. We will remain alert but will wait for orders from the transport commissioner’s office ahead of the season,” said an official from the Thane transport department.
However, few private bus operators have claimed that though the festive season sees a rise in the number of passengers, especially in the
Konkan route, the rates are usually economical due to rising competition from private taxis and fleet cabs. “We are at times forced to increase the rates as we have to deploy additional buses and staffers due to the festive crowd,” said a private bus operator, requesting anonymity.
Meanwhile, MSRTC and the railway authorities have planned several special services, mainly from Thane and Mumbai to the Konkan areas.
The Central Railway has decided to run over 132 special trains services from Mumbai along with those from Pune and Ajni.
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