Govt orders drive to check ticketless travel in DTC buses

The directive to come down hard on ticketless travellers was issued by Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami. The daily loss on account of ticketless travel on DTC buses has been estimated at around Rs one crore.

Goswami said the special checking drive would be monitored at the highest level as the city government is keen to completely eliminate ticketless travelling in Delhi.

"This would go a long way in minimising the losses of DTC and make it a profitable venture," he said.

A special drive against such passengers will commence on September 10 and will last for one week.

Goswami, who was given the Transport department on Monday's cabinet reshuffle, has asked DTC officials to adopt a no-tolerance approach against ticketless travellers as large number of people claiming to be on official duty commute without buying tickets.

The Minister also instructed the DTC to deploy adequate number of official during the checking drive.

Further, the DTC has been asked to appoint Special Magistrates to ensure on-the-spot disposal of such cases.

In case such travellers are unable to deposit fine amount, they will be punished by Special Magistrates as per existing rules of the DTC.

Goswami also instructed the DTC authorities to educate its conductors to issue tickets to all passengers including those from law enforcing agencies who often do not buy tickets, officials said.

The DTC has been told to increase number of checking staff substantially and to provide them cars. The cases of selling fake tickets and bus passes and possession of used tickets will also be dealt accordingly.