Private bus operators acting as illegal courier services

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) is turning a blind eye towards private inter-state bus operators who carry parcels in their cargo holds on a daily basis, against the law.

Each of these private inter-state buses can carry about 500 kg of passenger luggage. But most passengers travel light, so the remaining space is used by bus operators to carry parcels from Mumbai to other places and vice versa, illegally.

The RTO conducts surprise raids to check these buses. The bus conductors tell the RTO that the parcels belong to the on-board passengers.

This illegal business hits small transporters who own one or two vehicles.

One of the bus drivers told dna, "We have been carrying parcels for several years now. Whenever any surprise raid takes place, we are prepared to tackle the situation. There is a fixed rate which we give to RTO officials and traffic police regularly to prevent any legal action against us. No business can flourish without the support of concerned officials."

Numerous attempts to contact transport commissioner Mahesh Zagade were futile.