Mini-bus operators were warned against collection of excess fare from passengers at a meeting convened by transport authorities here on Wednesday.
The crackdown launched by the authorities here on Tuesday evening came as a surprise to the mini-bus drivers.
During the crackdown led by Regional Transport Officer K.Anand in various parts of Tuticorin town, the team came to know that excess fare was collected from passengers in 10 mini-buses. Against the maximum fare of Rs.5, the conductors charged Rs.7. While the fuel price had been declining, the conductors were charging excess fare. Hence, the mini-bus operators were instructed to comply with the Motor Vehicles Act.
The drive came in the wake of a directive from Collector M. Ravikumar, who received petitions of excess fare being collected from passengers. Besides, air horns equipped in these buses were also seized as the horns caused noise pollution. As per norms, the maximum noise level could be up to 90 decibels from air horns, but the seized horns were found to be violating the norms. The authorities inspected 25 mini-buses.
