Govt buses take shorter route, but collect full fare
Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com
Chennai:03.10.2018
Government mofussil buses plying from Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and other districts to Chennai via Poonamalle collect ₹6 extra from every passenger.
Back-of-the-envelope calculations show that Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations (TNSTCs), which operate mofussil buses, earn ₹50 lakh in excess every month.
According to official data, more than 500 buses, operated as express services, ply from the said districts towards Koyambedu daily.
Earlier, a section of these buses, including those operated along route numbers 76C, 84, 89, 97, 102, 130, 201 and 202, reached Koyambedu via Porur and Guindy (24 km).
Other buses like those operated along routes 76B, 97A and 97B take a diversion at Poonamallee and reach Koyambedu via Maduravoyal (16 km).
Ever since work for metro rail and Porur flyover began in 2011, all the 500-odd buses are operated only along the latter route, said Senthil Kumar, a consumer rights activist.
According to government’s approved fare table based on the distance covered by the bus, TNSTC should collect only ₹13 from a passenger to travel from Poonamallee via Maduravoyal and ₹19 if they travelled along the other.
“But at present, all the moffusil buses invariably collect ₹19 even when they travel along the shorter route via Maduravoyal,” Senthil said.
TNSTC Villupuram officials said the traffic police do not allow government buses to run via Guindy and that they are ready to operate through city roads if permitted. They, however, refused to comment on not revising the fare accordingly.
Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com
Chennai:03.10.2018
Government mofussil buses plying from Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and other districts to Chennai via Poonamalle collect ₹6 extra from every passenger.
Back-of-the-envelope calculations show that Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations (TNSTCs), which operate mofussil buses, earn ₹50 lakh in excess every month.
According to official data, more than 500 buses, operated as express services, ply from the said districts towards Koyambedu daily.
Earlier, a section of these buses, including those operated along route numbers 76C, 84, 89, 97, 102, 130, 201 and 202, reached Koyambedu via Porur and Guindy (24 km).
Other buses like those operated along routes 76B, 97A and 97B take a diversion at Poonamallee and reach Koyambedu via Maduravoyal (16 km).
Ever since work for metro rail and Porur flyover began in 2011, all the 500-odd buses are operated only along the latter route, said Senthil Kumar, a consumer rights activist.
According to government’s approved fare table based on the distance covered by the bus, TNSTC should collect only ₹13 from a passenger to travel from Poonamallee via Maduravoyal and ₹19 if they travelled along the other.
“But at present, all the moffusil buses invariably collect ₹19 even when they travel along the shorter route via Maduravoyal,” Senthil said.
TNSTC Villupuram officials said the traffic police do not allow government buses to run via Guindy and that they are ready to operate through city roads if permitted. They, however, refused to comment on not revising the fare accordingly.
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