Despite the implementation of an intelligent transport system (ITS) in Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses, the UT transport department has encountered challenges in curtailing incidents of ticketless travel. Data reveals that from November 2022 to October 2023, the department levied fines totalling 3.56 lakh for 1,597 instances of ticketless travel in CTU buses.
Additionally, 13 cases of fraud were reported, where funds were collected from passengers without corresponding ticket issuance. Employees involved in such cases faced fines totalling 5,483. The department also took disciplinary action against employees found without uniforms in four instances and against drivers deviating from prescribed routes. Thirteen cases were reported where buses were driven over flyovers or strayed off scheduled routes.
Pradhyuman Singh, the UT transport director, remarked, “Teams have been deployed to apprehend passengers travelling without tickets in CTU buses. The department is monitoring all types of violations, and appropriate action is being taken.”
CTU operates buses from 5 am to 11 pm on local and long routes, with approximately 580 buses stationed across different depots. The department employs 126 inspectors, with 80 dedicated to addressing ticketless travel and other violations. Three teams operate on local routes, while eight teams cover long routes.
On average, approximately 133 cases of ticketless travel are reported each month. When caught, violators are charged 10 times the ticket cost. Conductors are overseen by inspectors, and central teams monitor these officers to ensure transparent departmental functioning.
The UT transport department had previously implemented the ITS, entailing the installation of CCTV cameras in all buses and linking them to the control room through GPS for real-time tracking. The ITS project, with a cost of 23 crore, aimed to enhance bus services by providing features such as route information and emergency alarms. Real-time electronic displays at bus stops were also introduced to furnish accurate arrival times for buses.
