Strict action will be taken against arbitrary recovery, rent will be fixed

In Gumla, the district administration has shown strictness regarding the complaints of arbitrary fare collection in passenger buses and jams caused due to uncontrolled stopping of buses in different parts of the city. On this matter, Sadar SDO Akhilesh Kumar held a meeting with the President, Secretary, Bus Owners and concerned officials of the Bus Association. SDPO, Executive Officer of Municipal Council, Police Station Incharge, representatives of Bus Association and bus operators were also present in the meeting. It was told in the meeting that complaints were being received continuously from Gumla sub-division area that buses were charging more money than the prescribed fare. Especially on the Gumla-Ranchi route, where earlier the fare was Rs 140 to 150, now there were complaints of recovery of Rs 200 to 230, due to which the passengers were facing a lot of trouble. The bus association demanded fare revision citing increase in fuel, urea, toll tax and other operating expenses. After the consent of both the parties, new maximum fares were decided for various routes. According to this, the fare from Gumla to Ranchi was fixed at Rs 180, Simdega at Rs 140, Lohardaga at Rs 90, Dumri at Rs 120 and Jashpur at Rs 120. The revised rate chart presented by the Bus Association for other routes was also unanimously accepted. The administration clarified that now no bus will be able to charge fare more than the prescribed rate. SDO Akhilesh Kumar gave strict instructions that if a complaint is received about fare collection more than the fixed rate, then action will be taken against the concerned bus owner, operator and agents as per rules. He also said that the responsibility of following this order will be on the President and Secretary of the Bus Association. It will be mandatory to clearly display the approved fare list (rate chart) at all bus depots and ticket counters, so that passengers can get correct information. The Municipal Council was also instructed to put up rate charts at all major places. In the meeting, stopping places for buses were also determined to save the city from jams. Now buses will stop near Bhatti Talab on Sisai Road, near SBI Bank on Palkot Road, near Kumhar Slope on Lohardaga Road and near Birsa Munda Agro Park on Jashpur Road. Apart from these places, action will be taken against stopping the bus anywhere in the city to board or disembark passengers and the responsibility for this will also be fixed on the bus association. The responsibility of effective implementation of all decisions has been entrusted to the District Transport Officer. Appealing for cooperation from the bus operators, the administration said that it is everyone’s shared responsibility to ensure transparent fare system and jam-free traffic system.