Transport dept to crack whip on erring drivers, conductors

In fact, Assistant Director of Transport, Enforcement Nixon Soares on Tuesday sent a message loud and clear to the bus owners and operators that the transport department will crack a whip against buses making unauthorized bus stops and conductors pulling customers into their buses.

Nixon chaired a  meeting with the city bus owners, especially the bus owners operating on the Rumdamol housing board-Aquem-Margao-KTC bus stand route on Tuesday. 

He later told the media that the RTO has taken written undertakings from the bus owners and operators that they would not only avoid making unauthorised stops, but will not make long halts at the authorised bus stops. 

“There are two aspects to the problem. One, the buses making unauthorised stops and making long halts.  The buses are not scheduled to make long halts at the bus stops. They have to stop to help the passengers alight and pick up new passengers”, he said.

He, however, agreed that unscrupulous bus drivers make long halts at certain stops such as at Aquem near the St Sebastian Church to collect passengers alighting at the Margao railway station.

Nixon further pointed out that they have been given to understand that some elements are engaged by the conductors, especially at the St Sebastian Church bus stop to force customers to board their buses. 

“We have made it quite clear to the bus owners that the RTO will not tolerate such things in the future. We have reminded them that they run the risk of being fined Rs 20,000 for the unauthorised stops. We have today cautioned and given them time to make amends or face action”, he said.

The Assistant Transport director further pointed out that the RTO in coordination with the Margao Traffic Cell will hold drives against the erring bus drivers and conductors across the city.