PNS|Vijayawada
In view of the Sankranti festival, the Transport Department is conducting a special drive on contract carriage buses across the state. To this effect, the Transport Commissioner Anjaneyulu held a meeting with DTCs of all the districts and necessary instructions have been issued to all tie DTCs and RTOs to conduct special drives against violations like collecting excess fares, plying without tax permit, FC, etc. Instructions have been issued to pay special attention to all the border check posts like Garikapadu, Panchalingala, etc. Severe action will be taken against violations of rules, he said.
The bus owners are also directed to follow Covid protocol in the interest of the safety of the passengers. The same has been informed to all the bus owners. There is a possibility that buses under stoppage may ply during the season. It was also directed to ensure that no inconvenience was caused to the passengers while seizing the vehicle. The public were requested to travel in RTC Buses. The instructions have been given to all the district officers.
Joint Commissioner of Transport Venkateswara Rao said that inspections would be conducted on private buses for 10 days. Special inspection teams will be formed at the State border check-posts. Buses without fitness and other certificates will be seized, he said. It was decided to seize the buses on reaching the destination. He said that cases will be registered against collecting excess fares and the passengers can also complain to the transport officials. Complaints can also be made to the phone numbers on the website of the transport department.
He said that last year 975 cases have been registered and a fine of Rs 62 lakhs has been collected. Cases will be registered and prosecuted depending on the severity. Actions will be taken to prevent private buses from coming to RTC bus stations. Cases will be registered against private buses carrying unrelated luggage. It is a crime to turn contract carriage buses into stage carriers, said Venkateswara Rao.
