Kerala - Kochi   

RTO opens complaint cell at Kakkanad

John L. Paul

Errant vehicle crew to be held accountable

KOCHI: A complaint cell has been opened at the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office, Kakkanad, aimed at disciplining the crew of public transport and goods vehicles.

This is in addition to the machinery with which the office attends to complaints from members of the public. The cell has been opened in the wake of numerous complaints from commuters and vehicle owners that the crew of public transport vehicles like buses and autos have been misbehaving with them and driving in a reckless and intimidatory manner, said the Ernakulam RTO M.N. Prabhakaran.

He said the cell was formed after he began to get an average of ten complaints every day, on a regular basis. "In one such complaint, the father of a schoolgirl said that a conductor was in the habit of leaning on her while issuing tickets. I took up the issue with the bus owner and the conductor was sacked. It turned out that the operator too was not pleased with the conductor's behaviour," he said.

All complaints to the cell must be sent to the RTO office (phone: 2422246), with details like address and telephone number of the complainant. On receipt of a complaint, an inquiry officer will probe the issue and frame the charges. The RTO will have the final say in deciding the punishment. While fines will be imposed for minor offences, graver ones will invite suspension of driver's/conductor's licence. Private bus operators have promised to extend all help to the cell. This is because their image takes a beating due to reckless acts of the crew. "The cell will look into complaints like indecent behaviour, use of abusive language against passengers and fellow motorists, rash and intimidatory driving, late running and cutting of trips by bus crew, ill-maintained buses, not stopping buses at bus stops and so on. In cases like overcharging by auto drivers, we will impose fine on the driver and make him return the excess fare collected from the passenger. Complaints regarding goods carriers too can be sent to us. Action will be initiated the very same day that we receive the complaint," said Mr. Prabhakaran.

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