Bus service in Sundargarh district has worsened as higher fare than prescribed is collected while express buses from Rourkela to Sundergarh are halted where ever they like much to the chagrin of the passengers.
Sources said Rourkela to Koira via Tensa is 115 km. As per Government rate, the bus conductor for local bus should collect Rs 63 from each passenger and for express bus it should be Rs 67. But the conductors are collecting from Rs 100 to Rs 120.
Similarly, the distance between Koira to Tensa is 15 km. While ordinary service bus should charge Rs 7.15 and express bus Rs 7.50, but the passengers are charged Rs 20. The distance between Tensa and Barsuan is 13km. The passengers here also are asked to pay Rs 20 as fare. Similarly, the distance between Barsuan to lahunipara is 29km. Instead of Rs 15.95 for ordinary service and Rs 16.92 for express service, Rs 30 to Rs 40 is charged. Similarly, for a distance of 100 km between Rourkela and Kalta, Rs 100 which is twice more than actual fare is charged. In virtually all routes, the fares are far higher than the legal ones, said sources. The driver, conductor and helper of most of the express buses in this route are stopping the vehicles at their sweet will. More are the stopovers, more are the passengers and more is the business. Giving least concern for passengers’ safety and comfort, the buses are running in breakneck speed to make up for the time wasted at extra halts. Overloading is a norm rather than an exception as the passengers are taken in standing position in absence of seats for all. It is also alleged that the passengers are not given ticket and when claimed they begin to heckle the passengers.
“Regarding the collection of higher bus fare, I will tell our squad for surprise check in buses,” said Regional Transport Officer, Rourkela Ashok Jena, when his attention was drawn to the trend. “ We will take strong action against the offenders,” he assured. “Regarding bus fare and overloading of passengers by express buses from Sundargarh to Rourkela, I will instruct Traffic Sub Inspector to look into it urgently,” said Sundergarh RTO Ramniwas Sirika.