Punjab: Bus operators under investigation for violating rules

Punjab: Private bus operators providing air-conditioned facilities to passengers in ordinary buses are under the scanner. Taking cognizance of complaints of big bus operators installing air-conditioned units in their vehicles running on ordinary bus permits, the state transport commissioner has directed the regional transport authorities (RTAs) of Patiala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Bathinda to take action against such violators.

As per rules, the transport department levies road tax at the rate of Rs 2.80 per kilometer for ordinary buses and Rs 15 per kilometer for air-conditioned buses. Department officials said, “By installing air-conditioned units in ordinary buses, bus operators evade government duty. The permits of such operators are also liable to be removed from the timetable.”

Though such bus operators are providing free air-conditioned facilities to passengers, it is directly affecting the operators of buses run by state transport undertakings and small bus operators. Meanwhile, acting on civil writ petitions filed by private bus operators who have been issued show cause notices for illegal clubbing of permits, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the transport department to conduct a personal hearing of the operators.