35 Omni-Buses Fined for Overcharging, One Impounded in City

Quick Summary

• The State Transport Department operated 3,252 buses, including 1,160 special buses, from August 13 to 15, for Independence Day celebrations.
• Over 3 lakh passengers were transported during this time.
• Transport and Road Safety Commissionerate officials conducted surprise inspections of omni-bus stands in and around the city on Thursday night.
• Officials aimed to prevent bus operators from overcharging and addressed social media complaints about excessive fares on the eve of Independence Day.
• Inspections targeted more than 150 omni-buses at the Kilambakkam terminus. vehicles with overcharged fares, unpaid road taxes, and heavy luggage on roofs were penalized.
• ₹1.26 lakh in fines was imposed on 18 vehicles; one bus was impounded at Kilambakkam. Some refunds to passengers were arranged for excess charges by operators.
• in the northern zone (Koyambedu and Madhavaram terminals), inspections identified fare violations in 17 buses; nearly ₹3 lakh in fines was collected. A total of 35 buses across zones faced penalties.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The proactive measures taken by Tamil Nadu’s State transport authorities highlight a commitment to ensuring fair practices during high-demand travel periods like public holidays. By conducting surprise inspections targeting fare violations and operational irregularities among private omni-buses, the goverment sought to protect passenger interests while curbing illegal practices such as tax evasion.With a reported transportation reach exceeding three lakhs passengers through state-run services alongside this enforcement drive involving refunds and stiff penalties for offending operators, these actions underscore a balanced approach-facilitating both compliance oversight while providing greater accessibility via additional transport resources.Long-term impacts could strengthen regulatory enforcement standards within regional transit networks.

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