Passengers on alert

Ranchi, May 5: Board a bus only after verifying it is plying on a valid permit and its taxes have been paid. At least that’s what the state transport department expects of all its commuters.

It has appealed to all commuters that to avoid being asked to get off a bus that does not have valid documents, it is best to ask the conductor and check first.

The move follows a surprise inspection bid by the officials of the transport department along Ranchi-Jamshedpur Road recently.

“During a late evening inspection we checked over 30 inter-state and intra-state buses. To our surprise we found that a majority of them had no documents stating that they were plying on confirmed routes legally. It is difficult for us to ensure whether buses are plying legally, as drivers and conductors always say their owners have the required documents,” said joint transport commissioner Vijay Kumar Singh.

The “clandestine” raid was conducted by transport secretary Sajal Chakrabarty near the Namkum police station area on the outskirts of the state capital.

The raid was reportedly met with immense resentment from commuters who were on their way to destinations, both outside and inside the state.

Industry sources revealed that the raid has exposed the “corrupt” state transport machinery that comprises the State Transport Authority (STA) under the departmental secretary, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) that functions under divisional commissioner and most importantly the “gang” of motor vehicle inspectors (MVI), who are allegedly handling the “business”.

The transport department, on May 4, came out with a press communiqué appealing bus owners, agencies and commuters to ensure that their buses ply on a valid permit and relevant documents like tax slips and fitness certificates, among others.

The order strictly says that henceforth buses found devoid of documents will be seized and the onus to send the commuters to respective destinations will be on the bus owners.

“Commuters are also expected to verify all documents before boarding the bus or buying a ticket,” the order states.

However, the move has been welcomed by the office-bearers of Ranchi Bus Owners’ Association. “A gang of mafias are indulged in manoeuvring norms and they are hand in glove with some government officials. There should be a check on these illegal activities,” said Krishan Mohan Singh, president of Ranchi Bus Owners’ Association.

Around 1,000 inter-state and 3,000 intra-state buses ply in the state. Provision for first-aid boxes and information of the bus owners to lodge complaints are mandatory under Motor Vehicles Act.