MTC takes the initiative against drunk conductors

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In the wake of increased number of complaints, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation authorities have launched an intensive drive against the drunken conductors and set up a special team to check the problem.

This follows the recent complaint from a passenger who was denied change by a drunken conductor for a hundred-rupee note that he had given to buy a ticket.

“On Friday, a conductor on ‘25 G’ route was pulled up while on duty by the special squad of managing director following a complaint from an angry passenger. The conductor was found to be in an inebriated condition during the surprise check,” sources in the corporation told DC on Sunday.

The team also found out that a certain amount of cash was missing from his bag, which he had allegedly used for consuming liquor.

“The conductor is said to be a relative of the ruling party affiliated-union leader,” sources said.

He allegedly created a ruckus that day as he didn’t return change to several passengers of ‘25 G’ bus operated from Poonamallee to Anna Square. While a few passengers had alighted cursing him, a gutsy commuter decided not to spare him and lodged a complaint over phone.

I need ‘change’, says stalwart

Krishnan (name changed), a conductor with MTC, is considering quitting his job, though he loves it more than anything. Reason: He badly needs ‘change’.

For, several thousand MTC conductors, giving back exact change to the passengers has become a daily ordeal since the administration has not increased the amount of change given to them, Rs30 a day, for several decades, despite the fares and number of passengers have increased manifold.

While conductors are grappled with the problem, they complain, cashiers of a few depots earning favours by ‘selling’ the change to hoteliers and traders.

A coin has two sides. Even as passengers accusing of MTC conductors for not returning change promptly, the conductors cry foul on the shortage of coins and the problems they face.

“Though the problem has been there for several years, it has worsened after the fare hike, where the conductors find it tough to return one rupee change for those buying `9 ticket. We end up quarrelling at several occasions,” laments Krishnan.

The corporation has now fixed the same fare two or three consecutive stages on a route. For instance, commuters from Tiruvanmiyur, on route ‘1C’, to arterial places like Mylapore, Royappettah, LIC and Simpson are being charged same amount, Rs9, causing lots of ‘one rupee’ problems to conductors, he adds.