Staffers, commuters need to tackle bus ticket issue

MSRTC employees agitate at Azad Maidan, on Feb 3. Pic/Bipin Kokate

Rides without tickets on MSRTC buses are proving to be a major revenue loss for the transport body. The private staffers appointed to keep the MSRTC buses running because of the strike are ferrying passengers without issuing tickets, officials have told this newspaper.

Action has escalated with MSRTC ticket checkers now being authorised to file FIRs and police cases against private staffers, involved in this irregularity. The MSRTC tumult and subsequent strike from October-end has been a feature during these pandemic-hit times. The strike has continued for 100 days.

This paper has followed the issue closely, reporting on several key events in the fractious issue. The genesis of the problem is the employees demanding that the corporation be merged with the state government.

While the stalemate continues and the corporation seeks to limp back through private staffers, stringent action needs to be taken so that the service runs smoothly even as efforts are on to reach some kind of consensus with the regular employees.

Whether stalemate or strike, one thing is certain that the private staffers are cheating, and this is large-scale corruption. In fact, if any passenger, though there must be a firm basis behind this, thinks they are being hoodwinked this way they must complain to the organisation. Signboards and notices at depots saying passengers need a valid ticket will also go some way in alleviating this situation and making commuters aware. Fines for ticketless travel must also be put up in bold, visible lettering.

Private staff need to have a conscience but they obviously seem not to care between right and wrong, so the commuter can be more aware and also help in stamping out this wrongdoing. The corporation is going through trying times, they certainly have to tackle losses inflicted in this way.