Diwali rush drives up ticket prices; RTO cracks down on overcharging by private buses in Pune

Diwali rush drives up ticket prices; RTO cracks down on overcharging by private buses in Pune

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With Diwali approaching, a surge in demand for travel from Pune has led to steep fare hikes by private bus operators and ticket scalping by agents. Private bus operators are reportedly charging up to three times the usual fare, as state transport (ST) buses and trains are fully booked, forcing passengers to turn to costly alternatives.

Despite a warning from the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) to private bus operators, complaints of overcharging have surged. The RTO has issued strict guidelines, allowing private operators to increase fares by no more than 1.5 times the usual Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) rates. However, reports indicate that many private operators are exceeding this limit, exploiting the festive rush.

The RTO has intensified checks on these practices, forming two special “Vayuveg” teams to monitor and penalize violators. Recently, the RTO inspected 82 private buses and fined operators a total of Rs 3,47,000 for violations, including overloading and overcharging.

The crackdown on buses comes amid similar issues at Pune railway station, where illegal agents are selling train tickets at inflated prices, taking advantage of the high demand for travel across the country during Diwali. This has prompted increased vigilance by authorities to curb ticket scalping and protect passengers.

The transport department’s special drives aim to enforce fair pricing and safe travel conditions for passengers during the festive season. Travelers are advised to report any incidents of overcharging to the authorities, who have assured strict action against violators.

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