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Private bus operators hike their fares
Private bus operators are making a killing, with more than 12,000 RTC buses being confined to depots in the Seemandhra region for the 24th day on account of the Samaikhyandra protests. While private bus operators are simply making hay while the sun shines, the common people are bearing the brunt of the agitation as they have to either pay through their nose or call of their trips.
It is alleged that private tour operators had created an artificial crisis. “They have started charging exorbitant fares and the biggest victims are students who are pursuing their studies and going to and fro to Hyderabad and Vijayawada,” fumes a student.
Victor Rao
Hyderabad: Private bus operators are making a killing, with more than 12,000 RTC buses being confined to depots in the Seemandhra region for the 24th day on account of the Samaikhyandra protests. While private bus operators are simply making hay while the sun shines, the common people are bearing the brunt of the agitation as they have to either pay through their nose or call of their trips.
A majority of the people prefer to put off their visits to other places trips in view of the unrest in the Seemandhra region. Marriages and other social functions have poor participation. But people have been paying heavily in case of emergencies. Private operators have effected manifold increase in fares. In some cases, the exorbitant charges being collected by them defy logic.
The RTC employees’ strike has given many transport companies an opportunity to get the most out of passengers, as most people bus travel to rail journey. Therefore, tour operators, companies and travel agents are fleecing helpless passengers by doubling the fares.
“I booked my tickets to Vijayawada and they charged Rs 750 which is three times the normal fare,” says a shopkeeper from Kukatpally. When asked about the exorbitant fares, travel agents asked me to blame it on the Samaikyandhra agitation. I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping the situation will improve,” says P Rajendra Prasad of West Marredpally.
Defending the higher fares being charged, an SVR agent said that they had no option as diesel prices had been increased and there was also a steep increase in operational costs. “A situation like this helps us to make up for losses a bit.”
It is alleged that private tour operators had created an artificial crisis. “They have started charging exorbitant fares and the biggest victims are students who are pursuing their studies and going to and fro to Hyderabad and Vijayawada,” fumes a student. “Do we have any authority to curb this exploitation?” questions an engineering student from the city who is heading to Vijayawada to attend a marriage party.
The Hans India spoke to Raghunath, Joint Transport Commissioner (JTC). “There is a difference in the meaning as well as the operation of stage carriage and contract carriage as per the ‘The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. These private operators come under contract carriage which is engaged as a whole by a person either on time basis or for transportation of passengers from point to point whereas stage carriage envisages hiring by individual passengers (not as a whole) and fares are charged at rates approved by State Transport Authority (STA). Unlike government agencies, private agencies have no checking process. It is very difficult to fix tariffs for private operators and the AP High Court has to decide on this issue. Passengers are therefore asked to report their grievances on existing helplines.”
