Festival rush! Fine imposed on those travelling in luggage compartments

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: With the festive season on and ticket prices witnessing a surge, even a trip in the luggage compartment of buses is not ruled out!

Several private travel agents have been caught and booked by RTO officials for allowing passengers to travel in the luggage compartments of their buses on Tuesday.

Following complaints from passengers about operators raising bus ticket prices to exploit the seasonal rush, Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials conducted inspections of private buses near Devanahalli and the Airport toll gates.

They also checked tickets issued to verify allegations of extra charges. During the inspection, officials led by RTO official Srinivasappa, found a few private bus operators violating safety norms by transporting passengers in luggage compartments to pocket extra income.

Passengers were seen sleeping inside luggage compartments without proper ventilation and lighting.

The buses were heading towards Bengaluru from Hyderabad, sources said. The officials fined both the passengers and the bus operators on the spot.