Chennai: Like any Friday, mass ticket checking drives happened at the numerous Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus stops and even this weekend, drivers and conductors “disguised” as ticket inspectors escaped with deep pockets of penalty from commuters.
When Citizen Senthil, an activist, sensed something fishy about a man dressed in khaki and white not sporting a name badge checking tickets at Valasaravakkam bus stop on Friday, he complained to the MTC grievance cell.
“The officials said the mass drives usually happen when the patronage is high and conductors and drivers accompany a senior inspector. However, there were no senior officials present in the scene,” he said.
MTC insiders told DC that it is a common scene and this “malpractice” has been happening for a long time now. They allege that the ruling party drivers and conductors bribe the officials and take up lighter jobs like ticket inspection.
“A ticket inspector ideally must be dressed in khaki and white and should have two badges – one with his name and staff number, another with his designation,” said an MTC official.
However, even people dressed in casuals check tickets at a few bus stops. For instance, the same case happened in Moulivakkam station on Friday and when questioned about it, he just flashed his ID card saying “special squad” without any name or number. He hesitated to answer any further questions asked.
A senior member from MTC seeking anonymity said these people faking the roster collect money and give penalty tickets to the commuters, which enables them to travel free for the day.
“Also, usually a ticket is cut on the sides marking their destination, but these people tear it on the top leaving no clues,” he added. Provided the current situation when MTC is drowning in losses, even paying the penalty amount to the department could help.
Ideally, a ticket inspector also issues a memo to the conductor for not issuing the tickets and they would be suspended or sent for training.
In 2016, a passenger commuting from Saligramam to Vadapalani dropped his ticket after he reached the stop, but conductors faking as ticket inspectors threatened him and charged a penalty of Rs 500 despite having a ticket till he reached his stop. The passenger later complained in the Vadapalani police station to get his money back.
