2 weeks ago
Kolkata bus operators threaten agitation over hefty fare fines
Buses in Kolkata are in trouble.
The people who run the buses say they are being fined too much money.
The fines are because buses are charging passengers 10 rupees for a short ride.
The bus owners say this small fare is not enough to pay for fuel.
They say the fare has not been changed in almost nine years.
The police and transport officials say the 10 rupee fare was not approved by the government.
Some passengers complained about it.
The bus owners wrote a letter to important leaders asking them to stop the fines.
They also want the government to think about raising bus fares.
If nothing changes, the bus owners say they will protest on the streets next week.
Private bus operators in Kolkata have threatened to launch an agitation over fines imposed for fare-related violations.
Joint Council of Bus Syndicate general secretary Tapan Banerjee wrote to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Transport Minister Arjun Singh.
Cases were filed against buses on August 12 and 13 for charging a minimum fare of Rs 10 from passengers.
Operators say bus fares have not been revised for nearly nine years and fines of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 make the service unviable.
The syndicate, representing 1,500 buses, warned that all private bus owner organisations will take to the streets from next week.
- Who
- Private bus operators in Kolkata, represented by the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate, and state transport authorities.
- What
- Bus operators threatened agitation over fines for charging a minimum fare of Rs 10, which they say makes the service unviable.
- Where
- Kolkata, India.
- When
- Cases were filed on August 12 and 13, and the agitation is planned from next week.
- Why
- Operators say fares have not been revised for nearly nine years and fines of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 add to their difficulties.
Bus Operators
Transport Authorities
Rs 10 minimum fare
Bus Operators
Operators say the Rs 10 minimum fare is necessary because fares have not been revised for nearly nine years and they cannot recover fuel and operational costs.
Transport Authorities
Transport department officials say action is being taken because the Rs 10 first-stage fare has not been ratified by the authorities, following passenger complaints.
Fines and penalties
Bus Operators
Operators say fines of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 are making private transport services unviable and will lead to the collapse of the business.
Transport Authorities
Police and Motor Vehicles Department officials are enforcing fare rules by filing cases and imposing fines on buses found violating them.
Key facts
- City
- Kolkata
- Minimum fare charged
- Rs 10
- Fines imposed
- Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000
- Last fare revision
- Nearly nine years ago
- Buses represented by syndicate
- 1,500
- Cases filed
- August 12 and 13
- Planned protest
- From next week
- Letter recipients
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Transport Minister Arjun Singh
Quotes
Tapan Banerjee
General Secretary of the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate
“At present, bus operators are unable to recover even fuel and other operational costs. Imposition of fines of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 is adding to their difficulties”
telegraphindia.com
“Private transport services will collapse if such action continues”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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