Special enforcement teams of the Tamil Nadu Transport and Road Safety Department have conducted 357 inspections across the state since October 16, imposing fines totaling Rs 43.55 lakh on omni bus operators for charging excess fares during the Deepavali festival season. The Transport Commissioner warned omni bus operators against exploiting festival travel demand and ordered fare reductions wherever overcharging was detected. Popular online booking platforms like Abhi Bus, Red Bus, and Make My Trip are under close scrutiny for fare violations.Ahead of the festive rush, a review meeting involving police, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Metropolitan Transport Corporation, State Express Transport Corporation, and omni bus owners’ associations decided to limit the number of omni buses entering Chennai’s Koyambedu terminus to 50% to reduce congestion, with remaining buses diverted to alternative locations. Special lanes have been designated at toll plazas exclusively for state-run buses, and toll-free complaint numbers have been widely publicized.Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, inspecting operations at Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, affirmed that state transport corporations are prepared to meet passenger demand, even deploying additional buses if needed. He highlighted a significant rise in advance ticket bookings as passengers increasingly prefer state-run buses over omni buses. According to SETC Managing Director R Mohan, around 2,853 buses, including 761 specials, have been servicing routes during this period, transporting over 1.28 lakh passengers.This enforcement initiative aims to curb fare exploitation, ensure passenger safety, and manage traffic congestion during the peak festive travel season effectively.Special enforcement teams of the Tamil Nadu Transport and Road Safety Department have conducted 357 inspections across the state since October 16, imposing fines totaling Rs 43.55 lakh on omni bus operators for charging excess fares during the Deepavali festival season. The Transport Commissioner warned omni bus operators against exploiting festival travel demand and ordered fare reductions wherever overcharging was detected. Popular online booking platforms like Abhi Bus, Red Bus, and Make My Trip are under close scrutiny for fare violations.Ahead of the festive rush, a review meeting involving police, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Metropolitan Transport Corporation, State Express Transport Corporation, and omni bus owners’ associations decided to limit the number of omni buses entering Chennai’s Koyambedu terminus to 50% to reduce congestion, with remaining buses diverted to alternative locations. Special lanes have been designated at toll plazas exclusively for state-run buses, and toll-free complaint numbers have been widely publicized.Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, inspecting operations at Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, affirmed that state transport corporations are prepared to meet passenger demand, even deploying additional buses if needed. He highlighted a significant rise in advance ticket bookings as passengers increasingly prefer state-run buses over omni buses. According to SETC Managing Director R Mohan, around 2,853 buses, including 761 specials, have been servicing routes during this period, transporting over 1.28 lakh passengers.This enforcement initiative aims to curb fare exploitation, ensure passenger safety, and manage traffic congestion during the peak festive travel season effectively.