Pvt bus operators warned against overloading

Shimla, Mar 29 (UNI) Strict action would be taken against private bus operators resorting to overloading and charging less than the specified fares, a senior transport official today said.

''Since overloading is against the Motor Vehicles Act and Rules and could lead to fatal incidents, strict action will be taken against those operators who resort to this by charging less than the prescribed fares,'' Transport Director Rajender Singh said in a release here.

He said besides creating unhealthy competition between the state carrier and the private operators, it was also leading to tax evasion as no tickets were issued to passengers paying less than the fares.

The department was also launching a special drive soon to prevent the private bus operators from overloading and causing financial loss to the government, Mr Singh added.

He said unless the operators adhered to the rules, their route permits would be cancelled, besides taking action under the rules.

UNI AS PS BDP KP1737