[Resolved]  Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) — Bribe for Tickets

Address:

Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Although this sounds odd, but its true!! I had a visit to Tirumala from Bangalore recently and had booked my tickets to Tirupati from Bangalore through KSRTC online but i didn't book my return tickets to Bangalore since i was aware that there are so many buses running to and from Tirupati to Bangalore and seats would be available enough and moreover due to the rush in temple i was not able to predict the time to book the return tickets. After visiting the temple i reached Tirupati bus station to board bangalore bus. There were many Airavat volvo bus, sarige express and Mercedes Benz Buses. There werent many people at the bus depot to board the bus, hence i asked driver of an airavat stopped there for two tickets. He replied the bus is full so i went behind for a bus waiting to park in the station for 6.00PM departure which was empty. To my surprise even though the bus was empty the driver said its full, we can board only if we reserved the seats. Soon there were chaos as people were bulding up to board the bus but no seats. Later i discovered the KSRTC bus driver and the conductor had a tie up with few brokers running black tickets. Bus conductor was missing in the bus and only driver was seated for almost twenty minutes after the bus parked for boarding, i came to know the conductor went for talks with the broker on the vacant seats. Normal tickets rates are 390rs which are now being sold through these brokers for 600rs. Broker had collected all vacent seats from the conductor, and inside the bus broker was selling the ticket who agreed to pay him 600rs which was an adjustment before the bus came to board. I was shocked to see the same driver and conductor who told me no seats are available are now going side by side with these brokers alloting seats to people who agreed to pay more money. Since i was travelling with my wife i couldnt take the risk of staying more time waiting for the bus since i knew this would be case for all the buses, i had to fall a prey for these brokers. Finally i ended up paying Rs 470 (Rs 210per ticket and Rs.50 extra was demanded by the broker for seats alloted in front!!) which i feel is a bribe to KSRTC. As the bus moved out of the parking ramp in the bus station, it stopped for around 5-8minutes, i knew the conductor went to meet the broker to settle the charges. This bus was to Mangalore via Bangalore.
I also noticed the same process of tickets selling was happening for Sarige Express buses also and one senior officer from KSRTC replied to me all reservations are close due to excess booking!!
I couldnt believe how these bus drivers and conductors are making money through these brokers and citizens like us fall as a prey for these wonderful KSRTC team!!!!!!!!

Good Job and may god keep you wealthy always.