Unmarked bus tickets on private buses in Kannur raise accountability issues

Taliparamba: Private buses are operating using tickets that do not carry the bus number or name. Several private buses, including those running along the National Highway, are issuing tickets to passengers that bear only the imprint ‘bus.’

In the event of any issue during such journeys, it would be impossible to identify the bus involved. Recovering misplaced items from these buses would also be difficult. Concerns have been raised that unauthorised services may be operating in this manner.

Most buses use ticket vending machines these days. However, when there is a shortage of machines or when they malfunction, many operators resort to using these generic tickets without the bus name or number. Initially, such tickets were primarily used on rural routes. Now, complaints have surfaced that even services operating along the national highway are using them.

RTO officials said that, as per regulations, tickets must include the bus number and action will be taken against buses found violating this rule.