[Resolved]  Apsrtc — Harassing of innocent passengers by ticket checker

Sir,

This is to bring to our notice that the staff specially the conductors of bus no 210 are unruly with the passengers and harass them for the no fault of theirs. I was their latest victim.

Yesterday (19/12/2009) I boarded the bus from MVP colony [Near Samta College] at around 4:45 p.m. for Sripuram Jn. I am travelling by this route, to & fro for past 6 months. As I am a lecturer in ACTS College [MVP colony] and I stay at Waltair Park [HPCL Colony, Siripuram Jn]. Mostly I travel by bus no 14 [as it’s more frequent in my route]. But yesterday I got into 210 No bus and boarded it from MVP colony [near Samta college] .Just at the next stoppage 3 checking officials boarded the bus and asked me for my ticket. [It was not even 5 min that I had boarded the bus and the conductor also had not come to collect the ticket]. I was accused of travelling ticket less. Moreover the way they treated me, hurt my dignity. I pleaded, argued and tried to convince that the fault was not mine. But still those men along with the conductor of the bus charged me for not buying the ticket. Why would I travel ticketless when I am travelling is this route for past 6 months. They charged me a fine of 200 Rs but later settled on with 50 Rs. This proves that they were trying to squeeze money out of me. Or else how come a 200 Rs fine suddenly come down to 50 Rs. I was willing to go to the police station along with them as the fault was not mine. The question is not of 200 Rs or 50 Rs, I could have easily given them the 200 Rs but why should I pay?

I would also like to know what is the rule for charging the passenger for a ticket less travel? After how many stoppages [passenger boarding a bus] he /she should have the ticket, or what time duration he/she is supposes to buy the ticket. Kindly let me know so that I can avoid this embarrassing situation in the future

Hear the question is about harassing innocent passengers. Today I am the victim tomorrow somebody else may have to go through same ordeal.

I would expect strict action against the accused, or else I would be forced to take this matter to higher officials.


Regards,
Sudarshana Roy
Waltair Park,
Siripuram Jn, Vizag -530003
Ph[protected]