Transporters told to display fare lists on buses

Overcharging by Bus Operators
Transporters told to display fare lists on buses
Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, May 15
To keep a check on overcharging by bus operators, the J&K State Transport Authority (STA) has directed all the transporters across the state to paste and display the fare lists on their buses. The decision has come out as a result of the large number of complaints received to the State Transport Authority in this regard.

“The decision has been implemented without any delay and the officials concerned have been ordered to check whether the orders are being carried out or not,” said Syed Mohammad Fazlullah, Commissioner and Chairman, State Transport Authority. He added, “To avoid the cheating and overcharging, the transporters have been directed to obey the recent orders.”

He further said that non-display of rates would be viewed as a violation of law and action would be taken against the defaulters. Those found not obeying the orders would first be penalised and on repeated violations, their permits would be cancelled.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Passenger Transport Association has given one-week ultimatum to the government to increase the passenger fare by 50 per cent or face an agitation across the state.

“The latest hike in the fare was in June 2010, when the Transport Department had enhanced the fare by 13 per cent with an assurance that it would be revived in proportion to the increase in the fuel prices in future,” said Anil Chopra, president, All Jammu and Kashmir Passenger Transport Association.

“We have conveyed our decision to the administration by submitting a memorandum”, he added.