After mofussil buses, town buses, too, quietly ‘hike’ fares in Salem

Taking a cue from private mofussil buses, town buses in the district, too, have allegedly hiked fares, much to the dismay of commuters.

It may be recalled that several private mofussil buses in the district began collecting excess fares from passengers from the first week of July, reportedly without making any announcement or obtaining permission from the administration.

Following complaints from the public, Salem and Namakkal district administrations cautioned bus operators against collecting excess fares, threatening action against violators. As well as those heading to Namakkal, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, too, hiked fares, starting on Sunday (August 16).

Town buses head to various places in the district from Salem Old Bus Stand, the warning seemed to have had little effect.

Subsequently, the Transport Department booked over 19 buses in Salem district and were waiting for the District Collector’s instruction for further action, sources said.

Meanwhile, allegations have been raised that town buses. These localities include Salem Junction Railway Station, Tharamangalam, Elampillai, Vazhapadi, Vellalapatti and Omalur. On town buses servicing these routes, fares have allegedly been hiked by ₹2-₹6 based on bus stages. Similarly, fare from Salem to Krishnagiri have risen to ₹90 from ₹80.

“I visit Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple on Sundays. From Seelanaickenpatti to Namakkal, private buses charged a fare of ₹30 and ₹35 from the New Bus Stand. On Sunday [August 16], however, a private bus charged ₹33 instead of ₹30. Likewise, from Namakkal to the New Bus Stand, a fare of ₹38 was charged instead of ₹35,” said G. Anandhakumar, a resident of Ammapet.