CTU slashes fare of AC buses sans heating system

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, December 16

The proverb ‘Once bitten, twice shy’ proves true for the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU).

This winter, the undertaking has reduced the fare of its AC midi buses and minibuses that do not have heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

Taking nothing to chance, the CTU authorities have ensured that commuters travelling by these buses do not have to pay for the heating system that does not exist in these buses.

A senior CTU official confirmed that against Rs 10, Rs 15 and Rs 20 (depending upon the distance travelled), the passengers travelling by AC buses would have to pay Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 15, respectively.

Last year, the CTU had received a number of complaints that though midi buses and minibuses did not have the HVAC system but passengers were being charged for the heating facility.

It may be mentioned that recently, the consumer court had ordered the CTU to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 for unfair trade practices as the cooling system of its AC bus was on during December which made passengers shiver in the winter chill. The CTU was also directed to refund the amount of Rs 40 charged towards two tickets to the complainant.

The officials stated that the bus in question was air-conditioned and not HVAC and as per specifications issued by the Ministry of Urban Development, the bus only had AC facility.

The anomaly in the midi buses and minibuses was noticed after the buses reached the CTU depot. Some other technical anomalies were also pointed out in the midi buses.

In the wake of the penalty imposed by the consumer court, the CTU reduced the fare of 124 buses —90 midi and 34 mini buses.