Commuters feel let down by revision, MTC runs more express, ordinary buses

While the commuters are not satisfied even with revised rates, the MTC converted a considerable number of deluxe buses into express service in every depot for the convenience of passengers. The transport department on Sunday morning announced the minimum and maximum bus fare of Rs 4 and Rs 22 respectively. 

However, the MTC officials did not mention the revised fare for express and deluxe services and this has put public in a fix on Monday morning, as conductors in the deluxe buses demanded a minimum of Rs 11, which was earlier Rs 13 and a maximum of Rs 37, just below Rs 2 against the hiked fare. Similarly, the passengers were constrained to give maximum fare of Rs 27 in the express services and it was earlier Rs 29. Passengers travelling in these buses lamented that there was no much change after the fare revision. 

A bus conductor, seeking anonymity, suggested that the new revision would help passengers to take short distances. “If you travel in an express bus for 10 km, you will get Rs 10 ticket, wherein passengers will be charged Rs 21 for the same km in deluxe buses,” he said. 

“We were happy when the government announced a revision in hiked fare, but we came to know that there is no big change after all,” he added. On being contacted by DT Next, PWC Davidar, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport), said, “Monday (January 29) witnessed considerable crowd in the buses and the department is in the hope that things will gradually improve in the coming days.” The department also converted some deluxe buses into ordinary and express buses to attract more commuters, he added.