Pune RTO warns private bus operators against overcharging during Diwali, publishes fare list

The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has taken a tough stand to stop private bus operators from charging arbitrary fares to passengers travelling to their villages during the Diwali holidays. Action will be taken against bus owners who charge more than one and a half times the fare of the corresponding service of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST). For the convenience of passengers, the RTO has also released fare rates for buses on different routes.

A meeting was held with associations of private bus owners on October 23. Instructions were given there on preventing arbitrary fare hikes and on passenger safety. Under the government's decision of April 27, 2018, the fare of a private bus must not exceed one and a half times the fare of the corresponding ST service.

Rates have been released for several routes from Pune, including Nagpur, Amravati, Akola, Nanded, Latur, Kolhapur and Solapur. Drivers have also been instructed not to use mobile phones while driving, not to drive under the influence of alcohol and to keep vehicle documents valid.

If a fare higher than the fixed rate is demanded during the journey, or any violation of rules is noticed, passengers can lodge a complaint on the WhatsApp number 8275330209. The complaint must carry the passenger's name, mobile number and a photograph of the ticket. The appeal was made by Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad.

In the RTO's list, the fare from Pune to Nagpur is Rs 1,454 in an ordinary bus, Rs 1,695 in a semi-luxury bus, Rs 1,925 in an ordinary sleeper/seater and Rs 2,080 in an ordinary sleeper. The Shivshahi AC seater costs Rs 2,765 and the air-conditioned Shivshahi sleeper Rs 2,995. The ordinary fare from Pune to Amravati is Rs 1,130 and to Akola Rs 940.

The list covers 47 routes in all from Pune, including Buldhana, Shegaon, Washim, Panaji, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Dhule, Nashik, Parbhani, Beed, Latur, Nanded, Jalgaon, Yavatmal, Wardha, Solapur, Sangli, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dadar, Thane, Borivali, Hyderabad, Belgaum, Hubballi, Ahmednagar and Pandharpur. The ordinary fare from Pune to Dadar is Rs 320 and to Ahmednagar Rs 230, while the ordinary bus fare from Pune to Yavatmal is Rs 1,275.