All private buses will have to display the fare chart earmarked by the state government and charge according to the fare structure that was finalised in 2018.
The state Transport department is writing to all private bus operators to take suitable measures for furnishing fare chart in all the buses of different routes in adherence to the recent order of Calcutta High Court.
“We are sending letters to private bus owners for display of the fare chart inside buses as soon as possible. They will have to charge the fare that was fixed in 2018. If there is complaint of charging beyond the displayed fare, then strong action will be taken as per legal provisions,” state Transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty said.
According to Chakraborty, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has not increased the fares of buses to ensure that common people are not burdened during their daily commute.
He maintained that bus owners have been compelled to raise fare of the private buses with the centre raising the price of petrol , diesel but charging above the prescribed fare is illegal.
The state buses charge according to the fare chart fixed by the state government. But there has been several complaints of overcharging by private buses.
Presently, the private buses are charging Rs 10 as minimum fare for the first 4 kilometre and indiscriminately for distances beyond that.
The court recently has directed for displaying fares in all private buses and minibuses within four weeks. It has also asked for starting a toll free number (region wise) so that passengers can lodge complaint if excess fare is charged. Facilities for lodging compliant through SMS should also be initiated.
Bus owners and members of all bus unions have sought the “immediate intervention” of the state government in this regard.“We want a “dynamic and scientific” fare revision, otherwise there will be no alternative for ensuring smooth bus services in Kolkata and the districts,” Tapan Banerjee, General Secretary Joint Council of Bus Syndicate said.