New bus fares

It was a good move by the communications ministry in that it also helped stave off an impending transport strike which would have caused enormous hardship to the people. Moreover, it now promises to save the commuting public from arbitrary charges by transport operators. However, that's not where the authorities' responsibilities end. It now has the more difficult task of ensuring that the fare fixation formula is fully adhered to.

Steps like displaying fare charts at the terminals and inside vehicles will be welcomed, but similar steps contemplated in 2003, the last time that the fares were increased, had come to naught mostly because of supervisory limitations. The big need now obviously is to have an effective mechanism to protect the interest of transport users, to check whether they are being compelled to pay more than they should.

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Lack of official vigil over fares charged has often led to tension and fisticuffs between passengers and bus operators. The authorities must, therefore, feel obliged to ensure that similar scenes are not repeated.