Mumbai: Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday said the state govt was serious about illegal fare hikes by private passenger bus operators and the financial exploitation of passengers through unauthorised mobile apps. He issued directives at a meeting held at the Mantralaya to form a special committee to resolve complaints and suggest long-term measures.Sarnaik said the committee would submit a detailed report on controlling fare hikes of private buses, curbing illegal booking apps, and suggesting effective measures on passenger complaints. He said the next meeting would be organised after receiving the committee’s report. He also assured that the measures suggested by the committee would be implemented effectively and promptly by the state govt.Stating that complaints were being received that many private travel companies were currently booking passengers through unauthorised apps, minister Sarnaik said exorbitant ticket rates were charged from passengers during festivals or holidays. He said strict action must be taken against such passenger bus operators who financially loot passengers. He also warned that the looting of passengers would not be tolerated under any circumstances.Stating that the contact system at bus stations across the state needed to be made more capable and effective, he directed that contact numbers be made available at every bus station for passenger facilities. He also directed that the Transport Department should issue a circular regarding villages whose names had been changed and regarding the use of grammatically accurate Marathi language, and ensure its strict implementation.Noting that passengers frequently complained about the uncleanliness of ST buses and bus stations in the state, minister Sarnaik said concrete steps were being taken to transform bus stations and maintain permanent cleanliness. He said toilets at all bus stations of the corporation would be made free from June 1, and that providing quality facilities to passengers was the responsibility of the administration.
