Bus ticket overcharged by ₹29; HRTC ordered to pay ₹50,029 to customer

The Consumer Commission in Himachal Pradesh has ordered the HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) to pay ₹50,029 to a customer after charging him ₹29 more than the prescribed bus fare. Here are the details of the case.

You have likely traveled on a government bus at some point. Has a bus conductor ever charged you more than the fixed fare? A similar incident has emerged from Himachal Pradesh, where a passenger was charged ₹29 above the set price for a bus ticket.

The incident dates back to August 2024. The passenger traveled from Una to Haridwar on August 13, paying a fare of ₹488. When he returned from Haridwar to Una the following day, the conductor demanded ₹517 for the same distance. The passenger questioned the extra ₹29 charge but was told he had to pay the demanded amount. The distance for both journeys was approximately 361 kilometers.

HRTC cited increased toll charges

The passenger approached the Consumer Court regarding the ₹29 overcharge. During the hearing, HRTC argued that the fare on August 13 did not include the hiked toll, whereas the toll amount had been raised to ₹55 by the next day. The corporation informed the court that the ticketing machine had not been updated, and conductors had been instructed by officials to collect the increased toll from passengers.

Commission found no adequate record of the toll hike

The Consumer Commission did not accept HRTC's argument. According to the Commission, the corporation failed to produce any chart or document proving that the toll had increased from ₹26 to ₹55. No records from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) confirming this hike were presented either.

The Commission also noted that a document submitted by HRTC pertained to "Super Luxury" buses, whereas the passenger had traveled on an ordinary bus. Furthermore, records obtained via RTI indicated that the fare for the Una-Haridwar route in 2024 was ₹472, yet the passenger was charged an amount higher than this for both journeys.

HRTC must make the payment within 30 days.

The Commission held that charging the passenger an extra ₹29 constituted a deficiency in service and an unfair practice. Under the order, HRTC has been directed to refund the ₹29, pay ₹30,000 as compensation for mental agony and the trouble of filing the complaint, and pay ₹20,000 towards litigation costs. This amount must be paid within 30 days.