mangalore today

Discrimination in collecting additional ’Toll charges’ from Puttur travelers


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 08, 2014:  Mangalore-Puttur bus travellers have to shell out an additional Rs 5  for every travel on KSRTC express buses that operate from the Mangalore depot. The explanation is, according to  KSRTC authorities,  the toll fee paid is only for Mangalore - Bangalore National Highway at Brahmarakotlu. However, it seems collecting Rs 5 from every passengers is unreasonable and illogical.


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The ticket fare for KSRTC limited stop buses from State Bank bus stand to Puttur is only Rs 43. Meanwhile, those passengers who alight from express KSRTC buses from its depot in Bejai have to shell out Rs 55, which include Rs 5 extra collected as toll fee. However, it is mentioned in the ticket as "BF", which the authorities say is towards toll fee.

A passenger  stated that he was forced to pay Rs 5 extra twice a day as he is travelling to and fro daily. I  work at Surathkal near Mangalore, I use Puttur - KSRTC Bejai depot buses every day. However, I am made to pay Rs 5 extra every time in the name of toll fee.

If so and the toll fee is paid at Brahmarakotlu, then the KSRTC authorities should collect from all passengers and it should be less, he said adding that he pays an average of Rs 300 a month extra as his fare. The KSRTC should fix an amount based on the number of passengers to make up the the amount to be paid at the toll gate daily.

Reliable sources at the toll gate at Brahmarakotlu say the toll fee for buses at the gate is Rs 70 for one way and Rs 110 for two way trips. Discounts are given for monthly payers and is being  made use of by bus operators on the route. 

KSRTC, Mangalore divisional traffic officer Chandrashekhar said the amount is collected as toll fee, but it is not being collected in all buses. It is vital that the concerned authorities look into and correct this matter soon.