Bengaluru: The transport department has issued a warning to private bus operators and booking apps against charging exorbitant fares during the upcoming Deepavali season. The violators will face actions such as suspension of permits and registration. The public has also been cautioned over using fake apps, while booking seats.
According to C Mallikarjuna, additional commissioner (enforcement), transport department, "We held a meeting on Friday with private bus operators and instructed them to not charge exorbitant fares. A reasonable surge is fine, but instances of charging unreasonable fares is unacceptable."
Nataraj Sharma, a private bus operator, who participated in the meeting, said, "Unlike KSRTC, we do not have a designated bus stand. We pick up passengers from various points across the city. The road tax that we pay is higher and the surge pricing during the festive season is required to stay afloat."
"We told officials that charging double the fare for premier service is essential. However, if there are any booking sites charging beyond that, let the department take action. These booking sites decide on fare, considering the demand. If operators object, booking sites eventually remove them from the chart," he said.
Passengers with festival travel plans are skeptical about the effectiveness of the department's warning. A passenger who plans to travel to Mangaluru for Deepavali, said, "Booking sites are already charging up to Rs 3,000 for a seat. The fare will jump further when the festival nears. This is not the first time people are paying hefty money. This happens every time."
The department has provided contact numbers 9449863429 and 9449863426 for the public to lodge complaints against operators overcharging for bus fares.