Pune’s Regional Transport Office has launched a special inspection drive to stop private bus operators from charging excessive fares from passengers travelling home for Diwali. The campaign covers major boarding and parking points across the city and will continue until November 20, 2026, with action against operators found violating fare and safety rules.
The drive follows complaints that private bus operators have been increasing fares during the festive travel rush. Acting on directions from the Transport Commissioner, RTO teams have been deployed at Swargate, Wagheshwar Parking, Hadapsar, Balewadi, the Mumbai highway, Yerawada, Chandannagar, Satara Road, Sangamwadi Parking and Wakadewadi.
Officials are checking buses at boarding and alighting locations and have also been instructed to inspect private bus reservation offices. The checks include verification of online and offline tickets so that the fares collected from passengers can be compared with the permitted limits. The RTO said penalties have already been imposed on some vehicles during the campaign.
Under transport rules cited by the RTO, the fare charged by a private contract bus cannot exceed one-and-a-half times the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation fare for the corresponding service. The restriction is significant during the festival period, when higher demand for inter-city travel can result in sharp increases in ticket prices.
A meeting of 26 representatives of private bus associations was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Regional Transport Officer Swapnil Bhosale. The discussion covered preventing arbitrary fare increases and ensuring compliance with transport regulations. Bus owners and operators were instructed to keep permits, driver badges, fitness certificates, pollution-under-control certificates and insurance documents valid and updated.
The RTO also directed operators to follow prescribed speed limits, avoid carrying more passengers than the vehicle’s capacity and prevent drivers from operating vehicles after consuming alcohol. Every bus must have a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit, officials said. Action under the Motor Vehicles Act is being taken against vehicles found violating road-safety requirements.
Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad issued an order on October 30 requiring private bus owners to prominently display fare boards at departure points. The boards must state the maximum fare that can be charged per seat on different routes. The order also requires operators to publicise a WhatsApp number for passenger complaints.
Passengers who are charged more than the permitted fare or face difficulties during their journey have been asked to send their name, mobile number and a photograph of their ticket to 8275330101. The RTO has said the complaint channel will help officials verify the fare collected and take action against operators or reservation applications found charging excessive amounts.
The inspection drive combines fare enforcement with checks on vehicle fitness and passenger safety during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. The RTO has asked private bus owners and drivers to comply with the rules so that passengers are protected from both financial exploitation and unsafe travel conditions until the campaign ends on November 20.
