PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) President Anbumani Ramadoss has called upon the government to take stringent action against omni bus owners who have significantly raised their fares during the Deepavali festival. Anbumani expressed his concern over the exorbitant fares being charged by these buses, urging the government to intervene to protect the interests of passengers.During the festive season, omni buses, which are a popular mode of transportation in Tamil Nadu, have hiked their fares to unprecedented levels. For instance, the fare for traveling from Chennai to Madurai has been set at Rs. 3,200, while journeys to Tirunelveli and Coimbatore are being priced at Rs. 3,400 and Rs. 3,999, respectively. Anbumani Ramadoss highlighted the substantial increase in return ticket prices as well, making it an alarming issue that demands immediate attention.
Anbumani expressed his dismay over what he perceived as a lack of decisive action by the government in response to these inflated fares. He questioned the government’s approach, asserting that instead of taking severe measures against the omni buses for their exploitative pricing, they seemed to be lenient. Anbumani’s statement asked the pertinent question of why the Tamil Nadu government appeared to be turning a blind eye to this issue.
The PMK President urged the government to step in to prevent passengers from being unfairly charged and insisted that licenses of omni buses found in violation of Madras High Court orders should be revoked. He further demanded that the government impose heavy penalties on these bus operators to deter such practices in the future.
The issue of elevated fares during festive seasons is not uncommon, with transportation providers sometimes taking advantage of the increased demand. However, Anbumani Ramadoss’s call for government action serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights and interests of passengers, ensuring that they are not subjected to unfair and exploitative pricing.