: The Madras High Court today directed the state government to issue an order within a month, making it mandatory for omni bus operators to display fares, at a prominent place inside the bus, to prevent overcharging by transporters.
Passing the orders on a PIL by R Gobika, an advocate, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said, "We are of the view that the public purpose would be served by ensuring that the rates are mandated to be displayed at prominent place inside the bus itself to avoid any complication.
In case of grievance, the passengers can access the helpline number, which should also be displayed inside the bus itself. Necessary GO may be issued in this behalf and the fifth respondent would comply with the same. The needful be done within one month from today."
The court then directed the State Tranpsort Authority to pass an order in this regard in one month and closed the PIL.
Alleging that the omni bus operators were charging more than the rates fixed by the government, particularly during weekends, the petitioner sought a direction to the State Transport authorities to form a special squad comprising both police and road transport officials to inspect buses to curb any violations.
The petitioner further sought a direction to create a Helpline/Complaint redressal Cell to lodge complaints about the excessive fare collected by operators and advertise the same in print and visual media and put up display boards at bus terminals and other vantage points.
The Government Pleader submitted that there is a dedicated helpline number created in pursuance to orders of the Court, 044-24749001; and 044-26744445.
He further submitted that periodic checks and adequate publicity about rates was done.
