GUWAHATI: There have been repeated complaints from public transport commuters from Guwahati about unregulated prices of fares after the reopening of the months-long lockdown.
Rinki Das, a regular commuter, lashed out at the sudden hike in prices without any government regulatory putting a check on the issue. "I regularly travel from Guwahati to Pathsala. I need to change three vehicles to reach office. I stay in Fatasil Ambari. From there to Bharalu bus stop, I commute by trekker. Earlier it was Rs. 10. But after the lockdown they started charging Rs. 20 saying they are allowed to take just two passengers in the back seat in order to maintain social distancing, so the prices are high. Now the number of passengers is as high as ever, always crowded but the fare has not been reduced."
"From Bharalu I take a bus to Adabari. And again I board another bus from Adabari to Pathsala. They charge two to three rupees more inside the city and the fare from Adabari to Pathsala has been raised from Rs. 40 to Rs. 70 or Rs. 80 as per the individual bus conductor's whims," she continued.
"It might not be a big deal for a one-day travel, but it does affect the monthly budget of daily commuters. An additional Rs. 2,000-3,000 of expenses in these times of crisis is not a matter of joke," she added furiously.
Rinki Das is not the only complainant. Deb Deka, who had come to Guwahati from Jorhat just a few weeks ago said, "From Ulubari to Beltola I pay Rs. 20 per trip, and that's my regular trip to office. Although I am not aware of the actual prices but people around me are always complaining and charging the conductors of unregulated fares. It is a daily issue."
It needs to be mentioned that even with the alarming surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the city, the public transport operators have been violating the basic protocols of social distancing and sanitizing repeatedly. Although the government has issued proper guidelines, the same are seen to have gone for a toss after the complete unlock was announced.
Yet, citing these same guidelines, the public transporters have been collecting high fares from commuters.
"I was willing to pay a few rupees more when the buses and trekkers maintained proper social distancing and limited few passengers were allowed on board. Everyone needs to survive and I understand that. But they have taken advantage of the situation and are charging as per their wish although the buses are crowded nowadays," said Jogen Kalita.
G Plus spoke to the District Transport Officer (Enforcement) of Kamrup (M), Gumadhar Das regarding the issue.
Das informed that eight enforcement teams comprising a total of 40 members have been repeatedly checking the errant public transporters and many vehicles have been fined in this regard over the last two months.
"We have also received many complaints. Although it’s still prevalent we are doing our best to put a check on this. Many vehicles have been fined and the licenses of some drivers have also been seized. Under section 192 of Motor Vehicle Act, Rs. 10,000 has been fined from some. And some are fined under section 179, that is Rs. 1,000. I am keeping track of these drives and have led a few of these checks myself," said Das.