I wish to highlight serious concerns regarding passenger service and ticketing on KTCL’s Smart City EV buses. On September 8 at about 4:20 p.m., I travelled on EV Bus R1 (GA03-X-0620), driven by a person identifying himself as Gangadhar/Gangaram. The overcrowded bus provided a poor passenger experience. Despite possessing two Smart Transit Cards, I was told to pay cash or get down. I paid and retained the ticket. At Panjim Market, around a dozen passengers alighted; cash was collected from some passengers, but tickets were apparently not issued. Two senior citizens requested that the rear door be opened, but the driver refused. I later tapped my Smart Transit Card (GN2509023890). Between Dona Paula and Miramar, I observed the driver allowing a private bus to overtake and giving its conductor a lift without, to my observation, collecting any fare. When questioned at KTC Bus Stand, the driver responded, “Jo karna hai kar lo.” These incidents, along with my observations of ticketing practices over the past year, warrant an impartial inquiry. If KTCL is reporting losses, transparent ticketing and fare collection must be ensured.
DEEPAK LOBO, Via email
