Arbitrary fare hike by private bus operators

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Alleging large-scale overcharging by private bus operators during the summer vacation and wedding season, the Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat has moved into action and submitted a memorandum to the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) on Friday.

With schools and colleges closed, passenger traffic for tourism and travel to native places has surged. Private buses operating on routes such as Sambhajinagar–Mumbai and others have reportedly imposed steep fare hikes. The consumer body has claimed that although fare structures for private passenger transport are prescribed under Maharashtra State Transport regulations, several operators are violating norms and collecting arbitrary rates, leading to financial strain on passengers. The organisation has decided not to stop at filing a complaint. Its members will conduct an on-ground inspection at the private bus stop in Shahnoorwadi on Sunday night. They will interact directly with passengers to verify the fares being charged and undertake an awareness drive. A delegation of the Panchayat held detailed discussions with the RTO, who assured that the issue would be examined on priority and that penal action would be taken against erring bus operators. District president Dhanyakumar Mandalecha, Deogiri provincial organisation minister Ramdas Thombre, city president Rajesh Mehta, women district chief Bharti Bhandekar, and others participated in the campaign.