Mangaluru
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has formed special flying squads to ensure that private buses do not overcharge passengers or overload vehicles during the festive season starting with Ganesh Chaturthi.
KT Halaswamy, Joint Commissioner for Transport, Shivamogga division, told media pesons that in the wake of the festive season and continuous holidays, a lot of people are expected to travel from Bengaluru to other places. Cashing on the rising demand, private buses are known to increase fares. A special drive by flying squads will be held from September 15 to 18, and in case the public face any kind of harassment or inconvenience in terms of bus services, including buses charging exorbitant fares, they can reach out to the control room 0824-2220577. Suitable action under the Motor Vehicle Act will be taken against the violators. Already two rounds of meetings have been held with private bus owners, he said. Halaswamy said four teams will be active in Mangaluru, two in Shivamogga, one each in Sagar and Puttur, four each in Udupi, Chitradurga and Davanagere. Each team will have an inspector, RTO staff and a Home Guard. Inspectors will also be making random checks and questioning passengers about the bus fares. Action will be taken under the MV Act and permits of habitual offenders will be suspended, he warned. The RTO is also keeping a watch on online bus ticket booking apps, he said. Meanwhile, in a special drive undertaken on September 13 and 14 to check vehicle violations, 129 cases have been booked.
