Auto and bus operators set their own fare rules:₹60 auto ride costs ₹100, passengers charged up to ₹50 extra in buses

As soon as you alight at the railway station and bus stand, you will realize that it’s not the transport department’s law that prevails here, but that of auto and bus operators. Passengers are openly being charged double under the very nose of the department, but those responsible remain completely unaware. When a Dainik Bhaskar reporter went to the ground to investigate the reality, a shocking truth emerged. Drivers have implemented their self-declared rate card on the city’s roads, and passengers have no option but to pay. The interesting thing is that there is no one to listen to the problems of common people. There isn’t even a system in the department to file complaints regarding fares. The transport department had fixed the revised fare rates in May 2021. According to this, CNG-petrol and battery-operated autos could charge ₹43.75 for the first 2 km, while for every subsequent km, the fare would be ₹13.75. Thus, the fare for 3 km would be ₹57.50. As soon as the rates of diesel-CNG increased, auto drivers have increased fares by up to double. Meanwhile, the fare for passenger buses was fixed at ?1.25 per km. Fare list missing from buses, autos charging fares at will without meters A Bhaskar reporter asked an auto driver at the railway station to go to Laxmibai Colony. He demanded ₹80, whereas the official fare is ₹50. Fares have been increased by up to double. For Hurawali, ₹150 is being charged instead of ₹100. At Maharaj Bada, seeing the helplessness of passengers, ₹100 to ?120 are being extorted for a ?70 journey. The situation is similar at the bus stand. According to rules, it is mandatory for every bus to display a fare list, but 90% of buses do not have the list. Operators’ argument: Rent not increased for 5 years, cost doubled Vehicle owners have their own arguments behind this arbitrariness. Bus conductor Mahendra Singh said that the fare was last revised in 2021. At that time, diesel was ₹90. Now diesel has become ₹8 and CNG ₹3.50 per kg more expensive. Our demand is that the official passenger bus fare be increased from ?1.25 per kilometer to ?2.50. There are about 12 thousand autos in the city and 800 buses in the division, with more than 50 thousand people traveling daily. All of them are being looted daily. Action will be taken for overcharging
No bus or auto driver can increase the fare on their own. This is completely illegal. Passengers can also complain about overcharging to the transport department. We will investigate this matter and take action. -Vikramjeet Singh Kang, RTO Petrol-diesel became expensive, so fares increased The passenger bus fare was fixed at 1.25 rupees per km five years ago. At that time, diesel prices were around 90 rupees. Now diesel has become expensive. Therefore, the passenger bus fare should be at least 2.50 rupees per km. In this regard, the association will demand the transport department to fix a new fare. -Padam Gupta, General Secretary, MP Roadways Bus Association