[Resolved]  Thane Municipal Transport [TMT] — Complaint Regarding Improper Bus Number Display and Staff Misconduct Bus No. 54 (20th June, Thane to Kasarvadavli)

Date of Incident: 20th June 2025
Time: Approximately 7:35 PM
Route: Thane West Station to Kasarvadavli
Bus Number: 54 (Not displayed correctly until Patlipada)
Bus Stop Involved: Manpada

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to bring to your attention an unfortunate and disappointing incident that occurred on the evening of 19th June while I was traveling in your Bus No. 54 from Thane West Station to Kasarvadavli.

I boarded the bus at around 7:35 PM from Thane West Station. To my surprise, the bus number was not properly displayed until we reached Patlipada. I had informed my daughter, who was waiting at Manpada stop, that I was on Bus No. 54 so she could join me—especially considering I had waited around 45 minutes at the station for this specific bus, and she might not have gotten any earlier bus.

When the bus arrived at Manpada stop, she couldn't identify it as Bus No. 54 due to the incorrect display and missed boarding it. When the bus stopped again slightly ahead at Manpada Signal, she ran towards the bus and requested the staff—first at the front door, then at the back door—to let her in. Despite her visible effort and my request from inside, both the driver and conductor ignored her and refused to open the door, even though the bus was not crowded and had come to a halt.

When I began recording the incident, the conductor and driver started arguing, saying, "This is not a stop. Why didn’t she board at the proper stop?"—completely ignoring the fact that the wrong bus number caused the confusion in the first place.

This behavior was not only inhumane but also irresponsible. If the bus number had been correctly displayed, this entire situation could have been avoided. As passengers, we rely on your system for timely and safe transport—not to be left behind or treated with such indifference.

I request you to:
Investigate this matter seriously.

Ensure that all buses display correct route numbers at all times.

Take disciplinary action against the driver and conductor for their lack of basic courtesy.

Provide clear training to staff on how to deal with such situations with empathy and responsibility.

I hope appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.

Sincerely,