Commuter raises key issue of poorly maintained metro buses
Bus bays have been helpful in free flow of traffic at various places in the city say experts. Gandhi Mandapam bus stop is an example. (Photo: DC )
CHENNAI: Failure to maintain buses properly has cost Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) dearly with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (South) directing the state-owned undertaking to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a passenger.
The complainant, T. Achutha Rao of Avadi here, submitted he was a regular bus commuter. He frequently travelled from Chennai Central to TVS bus stop on MTC buses. He found that the management was not maintaining buses properly. Condition of seats, handles, doors and other apparatus in the buses were in a pathetic condition. Iron materials were rusted.
When he travelled in a bus on March 19, 2012, he found that the top portion of a seat was broken. Three days later, he travelled in a bus, which was not maintained properly. The sharp rusted edges posed a threat to passengers.
His travel in a hi-tech MTC bus on March 14, 2013 caused him trouble. He contended that MTC had not provided cent per cent service to passengers. He sent a complaint to MTC management. As there was no response, he filed the present complaint seeking compensation. In its reply, the MTC said the complaint was not maintainable.
On receiving the forum’s notice, most MTC depots in Chennai had issued circular to technical staff, drivers and conductors directing them to inform the authorities concerned about repairing buses in time.
On information, the defects in buses concerned were set right. Action had been initiated against erring drivers, conductors and others. Apart from attending daily faults, all buses were sent for getting fitness certificate once in six months. The buses were operated after RTO issued the certificate. All buses were maintained properly.
The Bench headed by its president B. Ramalingam said travel in the bus caused hardship to the complainant which was also acceptable. Hence, it directed MTC to pay him Rs 10,000 towards compensation and Rs 2,000 towards costs in six weeks.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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