Omni buses fined Rs 45L for violations, not for charging exorbitant fares

Following complaints of exorbitant fares collected from the commuters, transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar formed 111 special teams under the regional transport officials to inspect the omnibuses across the state.

According to the transport department officials, the special teams inspected 9712 omnibuses between October 24 and 29 and issued check report on 2169 buses. The officials said that 13 buses have been detained by the special teams for reasons ranging from operating bus without paying tax and fitness certificate. One of the bus was detained for plying with a bogus record in Salem.

The transport department said that Rs 45.28 lakh, including a fine of Rs 44.39 lakh imposed on the omnibuses for the various violation under the Motor Vehicle Act, has been collected. The fines were collected for violations and not for charging exorbitant fares.

The omni buses had hiked the fares by over two to three times the normal amount in certain routes. When asked about the commuters’ complaint of the high fares collected by the omni buses, the Minister had said that there was no provision in the Motor Vehicle Act to regulate the private bus fares.

“Though there were no such provisions in the Act, on the orders of the Chief Minister, we are taking action on the buses that charge exorbitant fares. People should not use the private services instead make use of the government buses which charge nominal amounts,” he said, adding that no provision across the country to regulate the fares.

“Omnibuses are contract carriages but only stage carriages buses can be regulated,” he said.