Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 10: People would have often been a witness to arguments and frictions happening between the passengers and the bus conductors on the issue of changes as small denomination currency notes and coins are often in short supply. In movies too such scenes are projected in a funny way. In some cases, when the conductor does not have change, he adjusts the money by asking two or more passengers to settle accounts between themselves, and then the passengers have to doggedly follow the others to get back their changes. Therefore, many times, the passengers go away without waiting for small amounts like two to three rupees.

However, there are people for whom every rupee is very important. They get change in the roadside shops and then distribute among themselves. There are some others who prolong their fight with the conductor seeking exact change back.

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North-western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) which has tried to find a solution to the problem of change has pasted posters containing controversial matters in the bus stands. Many have expressed anger at the corporation for such posters and demanded that the same should be removed.

On their part, the passengers point out that every time they cannot confirm about having exact changes when boarding the buses. It is true that dispute over change arises sometimes but it is wrong to conclude that demanding the changes back is wrong. The employees working in the public domain have to handle the situation tactfully and behave courteously with the passengers. All types of people travel by buses and one cannot expect their financial conditions to be the same, the passengers say.

The posters warn that seeking changes from the conductors when travelling by buses would be treated as obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty. If found guilty, those involved are likely to be sentenced for a period of up to three years, they claim.

Taking cognizance of the objections, the officials said that the posters would be withdrawn. KSRTC said that it has been providing good quality and safe transport facilities. It said that many people are dependent on mobile phones and its use is rising. Its circular says that passengers should not play loud music, cinema etc when in the buses as it creates noise pollution and disturbs other passengers. It also said that passengers violating the request will be offloaded and their money would not be refunded. Hearing loud programmes violates Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, it says.