Bhubaneswar: In a major enforcement drive, Regional Transport Office (RTO) teams conducted surprise inspections on various buses across routes to check for violations of prescribed fare limits. Several operators were found charging passengers fares higher than those fixed by the government, taking advantage of high travel demand.
Strict action has been initiated against the erring buses under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Penalties, including fines and other measures, have been imposed on violators to deter such malpractices.
The Transport officials have reiterated that collecting excess fares is illegal and punishable. All bus operators—private and otherwise—are being warned to strictly adhere to government-notified fare structures. Additionally, it is mandatory for buses to prominently display fare charts inside vehicles and at counters for passenger convenience and transparency.
Passengers facing overcharging can report violations to the local RTO. This ongoing vigilance aims to protect commuters from exploitation and ensure fair travel practices.
