Private transporters hike fares amid TGRTC strike in Kumram Bheem Asifabad
Private vehicle operators allegedly overcharged passengers in Kumram Bheem Asifabad during the TGRTC strike, exploiting disrupted bus services. Commuters, especially from rural areas, complained of steep fare hikes and urged authorities to take action against the exploitation.
Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Operators of private vehicles such as auto-rickshaws, jeeps and vans were reportedly fleecing people by charging hefty fares in the wake of an indefinite strike launched by TGRTC which affected the public transport system, in several parts the district on Wednesday.
People claimed that they were charged Rs 100 per head to travel from Koutala mandal centre to Kagaznagar town as against Rs 50 charged by the TGRTC. They alleged that operators of private vehicles were fleecing the people by raising the fares exponentially to cash on the disruption of the services of the public transport system.
Residents from villages tend to visit urban parts of the district for various needs, namely to visit hospitals, to buy essential commodities, fertilizers, construction material, etc every day by travelling on the affordable TGRTC buses. They expressed concern over over-charging by the private transporters. They urged the officials to take steps to prevent exploitation of people by the operators.
