500+ complaints filed against KSRTC in 60 days

Complaints about bed bugs in buses, online ticket fraud and lecherous, inconsiderate conductors top the list

500+ complaints filed against KSRTC in 60 days

Complaints about bed bugs in buses, online ticket fraud and lecherous, inconsiderate conductors top the list
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Passengers using KSRTC bus services this summer faced numerous problems ranging from bed bugs to online ticket fraud and lecherous and inconsiderate conductors.

Over 500 complaints were officially registered at KSRTC offices across the city regarding various problems passengers faced in the last two months, but many passengers say they have seen no change at all.

Mind it: There have been numerous complaints about bus conductors
misbehaving with women and elderly passengers. Pic/Ramesh HS

While over 200 complaints were filed about the bed bug problem inside buses, several complaints have reported online ticketing fraud by KSRTC. Over 100 passengers have complained about misbehaviour by conductors and irresponsible drivers. Although complaints have been pouring in, KSRTC officials remain unaffected.

"This is the fifth time this year that I have filed a complaint with KSRTC about the sad condition of buses. The seats are bug infested and the blankets they provide stink. With the tickets being terribly overpriced, the least passengers expect is proper hygiene and a peaceful journey," said Prakash Agarwal.

'Then fly'
Meanwhile, a KSRTC official claimed that such complaints could not be looked into. "We cannot please everyone. If they want convenience, they can take a flight," he said. When contacted, KSRTC Managing Director Gaurav Gupta accepted that the bus conditions are not up to the mark.

"The volume of our operations is vast. We have more than 25 lakh passengers travelling by KSRTC on a daily basis. I agree there may have been 500 or more complaints, but each complaint is being viewed seriously and action is being taken to rectify the problem," Gupta said.

Drooling conductors
Of the many complaints about conductors, the majority was from women and elderly passengers. "I was travelling with my family by KSRTC to attend a funeral at Mysore and the conductor kept staring at me constantly. When my grandparents complained, he abused them," S Sapna complained.

About the increasing cases of misbehaving conductors, Gupta explained, "We admonish such conductors and drivers and the operations department takes such cases seriously."

Even online
The online ticketing facility introduced by KSRTC has been widely criticized because of increasing number of cases of fraud. "I had paid Rs 1,692 for a ticket from Bangalore to Tirumala, but the amount was deducted thrice from my account. This took place two years ago and the amount has not yet been credited to my account," said Karthikh Rao, a software engineer.

Over 150 cases of online fraud were filed in just two months and passengers continue to suffer even as KSRTC drags its feet.

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