Form panel for fixed bus fare policy in a month, Bombay high court tells Maharashtra government

If all goes well, passengers won't be at the mercy of private bus operators, having to deal with fluctuating fares as per demand and supply during peak and off-peak seasons. The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the state government to form an expert committee for working out the fare fixation policy within a month.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and AS Chandurkar also directed the government to ensure the policy is framed within six months after setting up of the committee.

The court gave the direction while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Pune NGO Sahyog Trust, which has alleged that during weekends and festivals, private bus operators on all routes, and inter-state buses hike ticket prices two-fold or three-fold. The travel companies take advantage of the fact that people have no better option for travel, the petition stated.

Earlier, the state government had opposed the petition saying it can't regulate the fares. The government justified its stand by saying the fares are decided on the basis of demand and supply and the amount of comfort offered to the commuter.

As per an affidavit filed by Bhimrao Wadhave, joint secretary, home department (transport), various types of contract carriage buses — ordinary, luxury, semi-luxury, air-conditioned and sleeper coaches of different seating capacity by different manufacturers — are available.

It was added, "If uniform fares are fixed for such buses, it would not be acceptable to the transporters. Similarly, if higher fares are fixed for ordinary buses, passengers won't accept it."

The State Transport Authority has also submitted a proposal to the state government to set up a committee to fix minimum and maximum fares for contract private buses plying between cities across Maharashtra.