A Promise Not Kept: Private Bus Operators Overcharge Passengers In Diwali After Government Fails To Regulate Fares

Taking advantage of government inability to cater to the huge demand during festive seasons (especially during the weekends), private bus operators are said to have charged at least thrice the fare charged by public transport, Deccan Herald has reported.

High fares have also been attributed to lack of regulation by the government, which it had promised to implement.

“We have taken statements from passengers in these buses for clear proof for exorbitant fares. Some were paying Rs 1,600 for a ticket that cost not more than Rs 700 earlier. But we can’t file cases till the government approves a proposal for fare fixation,” Additional Transport Commissioner, C P Narayanaswamy told Deccan Herald.

Buses running from Bengaluru to cities like Mangaluru, Hyderabad, Belagavi, Hubballii etc charged nearly Rs 2,200 as opposed to the standard fare of Rs 800. As of 2,3 and 5 November, the Regional Transport Department has booked cases against 1,517 private bus operators in the state for various types of violations.