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2 drivers terminated, contractor fined Rs5,000 after passengers of Pune-Mumbai Shivneri buses complained. It’s common for private bus operators to fleece passengers. However, the Maharashtra

State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has been apprised of a few incidents where private bus drivers hired by them are taking money from passengers travelling in Shivneri buses on the

Pune-Mumbai route without being issued tickets. Obviously, these private drivers are pocketing the money due to MSRTC’s apathy. In a recent case, a private bus driver was terminated by the

Shivajinagar ST depot a couple of days ago after a passenger complained to the MSRTC office. The complainant had boarded the Pune-bound Shivneri bus at Vashi on December 16. As per the

passenger’s online complaint on MSRTC’s official website he has mentioned that after he boarded the bus, the driver asked him to pay the fare of Rs355, which he gave. The complainant further

states that he was waiting for the driver to issue him a ticket. However, till the end of the journey he was not given a ticket. When contacted, senior depot manager of Shivajinagar ST

depot, Vilas Patil said, “Since the bus belongs to Shivajinagar depot, the complaint was directed to our depot. After verifying the complaint, we found truth in the complaint. We have

terminated the services of the driver and have imposed a fine of Rs5,000 on the private contractor — Sai Company. Nearly two months ago, we had received a similar complaint after which we

terminated the driver’s service.” Another MSRTC official said, “These drivers collect passengers midway on their journey and take money from them for the tickets. However, they do not issue

tickets, and pocket the amount given by the passengers. Not only is this illegal, it also incurs losses to MSRTC.”