If private travel agencies do not stop looting the passengers, we will start a statewide agitation : Satish Kochrekar, Spokesperson, HJS

Press Conference of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

HJS Press Conference – From left Mr Sagar Chopdar, Mr Satish Kochrekar and Mr Abhishek Murukate

Mumbai – In a press conference held on 23rd May at Mumbai Marathi Press Association, Mr Satish Kochrekar, the Spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, said, ‘According to the administrative regulations, private travel agencies can charge a ticket up to one and a half times that of the State Transport Corporation’s ticket. However, many private travel agencies are flouting this regulation and looting passengers by charging more than double the ticket price. The Department of Transport should take concrete action to stop the looting of ordinary passengers in the State by private travel agencies, otherwise, we will start agitation all over the State’. Mr Sagar Chopdar, Coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad, and Mr Abhishek Murukate, the complainant against private travels, were present at this conference.

As a part of the Surajya Abhiyan of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), the HJS also demanded that as per the administrative rules, the rates fixed by the Administration should be displayed at the places where private travel agencies’ vehicles are registered and from where they depart. A helpline number should be provided if passengers wish to complain about it. Cases should also be registered against the ticket sellers or agents of private travel agencies who charge passengers excessively while selling tickets online.

Take action against the transport commissioners who endorse private travel agencies !

To lodge a complaint in this regard, the delegation under the Surajya Abhiyan of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti recently met the State Transport Commissioner Dr Avinash Dhakne. At that time, instead of reassuring the complainants, he gave irresponsible answers. On this occasion, Mr Satish Kochrekar demanded that the Minister of Transport should set up an inquiry against the Transport Commissioner and take strict action against him.

Do the Commissioner get paid for saying ‘complaints on website will increase the workload’ ?

The delegation handed over to the Transport Commissioner, Dr Avinash Dhakne, a list of private travel operators charging illegal fares, along with evidence. At that time, the Commissioner not only failed to take its cognisance but did not even show the simple courtesy of viewing the documents provided by the delegation. Instead, he told the complainants to get a ticket from other travel agencies if anyone charged exorbitantly. ‘We do not control the price charged on online websites. We do not have the manpower to take action against them. If the action is reported on the website, then our workload increases. We act according to our convenience’, the Commissioner said. Mr Satish Kochrekar raised questions on the poor state of affairs. He said, ‘Is Dr Dhakne the Transport Commissioner or the spokesperson of those private travel agencies who loot the public ? If the Transport Commissioner himself is shirking his responsibilities, then how will the loot by private travel agencies be stopped ? The Administration should also inquire whether Dr Dhakne and the private travel agents have any nexus. How does the Commissioner get paid for saying that complaints on the website will increase workload ?’

Lakhs of passengers looted of crores of rupees every day in the State ! : Abhishek Murukate, Complainant

When I was travelling on a private bus, I was charged ₹735 more for the ticket. After this incident, I looked at the rates of various private travel agencies and found that most of their rates were exorbitant. If an excess amount of ₹735 is being charged for one passenger, then one can imagine how much money is being looted from lakhs of passengers across the State. Such consistent deception of lakhs of passengers in the State should be stopped immediately.

Contact the helpline number of the Samiti ! : Sagar Chopdar, Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad Coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

The open loot of the common man is a serious matter. Citizens should raise their voices about this. Anybody who needs assistance or more information about this should contact Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s helpline number 8080208958.