1,896 cases filed against private bus operators for overcharging during Sankranti in AP

Visakhapatnam: A total of 1,896 cases were registered against private bus operators in Andhra Pradesh by the transport department for charging exorbitant fares, flouting safety norms, and committing traffic violations during the Sankranti festival season between Jan 9 and 18.The special drive, carried out across most districts in the state, targeted private operators accused of fleecing passengers travelling home for Sankranti and those returning to workplaces after the festival.Transport commissioner Manish Kumar Sinha said 548 cases were booked for overcharging passengers, while 1,348 cases involved other violations such as operating without valid tax payments and permits. Overall, fines amounting to ₹1.27 crore were imposed on violators, he added.Officials observed that several private bus operators were using dynamic pricing, charging 40–60% more on busy routes such as Secunderabad–Vizag, Secunderabad–Tirupati, Bengaluru–Amalapuram, Chennai–Rajahmundry, and Vijayawada–Srikakulam. Inspectors verified fares by checking passenger tickets and registered cases against violators. They also found safety lapses, including missing emergency hammers and first-aid kits, dazzling lights, and carriage of commercial goods in luggage holds.As private operators displayed the Transport Department helpline number (9281607001) on buses during the festive season, passengers from Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Vijayawada, and Chennai reported overcharging. Teams tracked ticket prices on online booking platforms and intervened immediately to resolve complaints.According to official data, Nellore district recorded the highest number of cases (87) for fleecing passengers, followed by Konaseema (78), West Godavari (65), Vizag (54), and Annamayya (41).