Enforcing rates more important

Let's not also forget that the cargo carrying charges also increase, which translate into higher prices of daily necessities leading up to a rise in the cost of living index. The consumer rights, under such cumulative circumstances, thus end up being doubly negated.

We would like to suggest some corrective measures: first, let there be a standard formula for a revision of fares to be exactly proportionate to the increase in operational costs. This would rule out arbitrary fixation of fares by any quarters.

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The government has formed a body to re-fix bus and truck fares in the light of the fuel price increases. This is a step in the right direction, although it should have come on the back of diesel price increase itself without allowing any space for confusion. We would like to see a similar body constituted to deal with the question of launch fares gone haywire lately.

It is essential to bear in mind the fact that fixation of fares by itself cannot effectively address the issue of passengers' rights. What is equally, if not more, important is the monitoring of the application of the rates chart so as to ensure that nothing extra is charged from the passengers on surface and river routes. What good it would be if the transport operators continue exploiting the passengers even after the rates have been carefully fixed by the authorities in consultation with owners of buses, trucks and launches?