[Resolved]  Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation [BMTC] — Bullying by Ticket Checkers on Route 335

Address:	560001
Website:	www.mybmtc.com

Yesterday around 2pm or so, after availing treatment at Manipal hospital old airport road i boarded Volvo route 335 at Manipal Hospital Signal. The Conductor was seated in his designated place and I stated that i wanted to get off at Domlur bus stand, took a seat, searched for Rs.10/- in my wallet and held it in my hand to buy the ticket. Perhaps Conductor wanted to issue tickets when more passengers got in at Kodihalli. At Kodihalli 2 Ticket Checkers got in and i was not allowed to either buy my ticket or get off at my destination stop.

The lady ticket checker demanded a Fine for ticketless travel. I refused saying that i had the money in my hand and i was waiting for the Conductor to come to me. Else i would have purchased the ticket after disembarking. I told her i have never travelled ticketless. The male ticket checker intervened and said that i should have stood in front of the Conductor taken my ticket and then sat down. How am I supposed to search for money in my bag with a bandaged hand and balance myself in a moving Volvo or any bus for that matter.

When i refused to pay they have threatened to take me to the town hall police stn. I did not back down as it was in no way my fault.

A Co passenger seated next to me tried to explain to the TCs that the Conductor had yet to come up to me and that i had the money for the ticket in my hand. They have quarreled with her and threatened to take her to the police station. Whilst telling her that she should be able to read Kannada as this was Karnataka.

Another Co passenger tried to explain to them that i was yet to buy the ticket and the conductor had yet to come to me to complete the transaction. The male TC has quarreled with him and taken him for no apparent reason to the town hall police station. I was allowed to buy a ticket just before the TCs disembarked at town hall police station just a few minutes before 2.25 pm.

Tell me sir, passengers are allowed to sit in available seats or stand whilst holding on to support away from the Driver's bay or bus doors before searching for the money and buying tickets right. The conductor's duty is to come up to the passenger and ensure that the ticket is purchased.

I was not evading buying a ticket so how can the TC demand fine? And quarrel with me and other passengers?

their conduct and behaviour with me had become a prestige issue as I didnot pay the fine and 2 passengers came to my rescue.

BMTC is doing a great deal to continuously improve its services. Therefore you cannot allow TCs to bully passengers and misbehave with them. This will tarnish the Corporation's image.

More customer oriented training should be given to the staff.

Thanks and regards
Rekha Rau