Commuters turn a blind eye to misconduct of conductors
‘Ticketless travel is a punishable offence’ - this caution is prominently displayed in the interior of every bus in Bangalore.
Ironically, bus conductors do not seem to think so. For, they deliberately refuse to issue tickets to short-distance commuters. This is definitely not out of a desire to reduce the common man’s burden! Rather, it is a calculated move intended to fatten their own pockets.
The conductor charges the passengers two or three rupees less than the actual ticket cost and does not issue any ticket. This practice flourishes without any complaint from the public since it is a symbiotic arrangement -- the commuter’s travel cost is reduced while the conductor gets good extra money to take home every day. In fact, the additional income is quite substantial and even falls in the Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 bracket.
However, an element of fear persists during the commuter’s trip. The fear of ticket inspectors suddenly barging in for a check always looms large. But, the satisfaction of saving a few rupees helps in handling that pressure. So, where does the money end up? It is split between the driver and conductor http://ipaidabribe.com/bribe-central/corruption-bmtc-bus-conductors.
A recent Business Standard report elaborates that the annual profits have fallen drastically from Rs 70.8 crore in 2008-2009 to Rs 20.6 crore in 2010-2011. An indication of how the petty corruption indulged in by conductors on a daily basis can have huge monetary ramifications.
By Juwairia Mekhri