KSRTC's Double Blunder: Passenger Left with Wrong Ticket, Overcharged for Correct Destination

Imagine embarking on a bus journey, expecting a straightforward ticket purchase, only to find yourself entangled in a bizarre ticketing saga. This was precisely the experience of Shinu, a passenger with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), whose routine trip from Ettumanoor to Kottarakkara unfolded into an unexpected double blunder, leaving him overcharged and with an incorrect ticket – twice.

The incident, which has now spurred an official complaint to the KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director, occurred on an ordinary service bus en route from Ernakulam to Kottarakkara.

Shinu initially requested a ticket for his destination, Kottarakkara, a fare typically costing Rs 70 from Ettumanoor. To his surprise, the conductor handed him a ticket for Rs 120, intended for a much longer journey to Thiruvananthapuram.

Upon realizing the glaring discrepancy, Shinu promptly pointed out the error to the conductor.

Acknowledging the mistake, the conductor proceeded to collect an additional Rs 50 from Shinu, ostensibly to adjust the fare. However, instead of issuing a fresh, correct ticket for Kottarakkara, the conductor astonishingly presented Shinu with another ticket for Rs 120 – once again, for Ettumanoor to Thiruvananthapuram.

This meant Shinu had effectively paid Rs 120 plus an additional Rs 50, yet still possessed a ticket for a destination he wasn't going to, and was overcharged by Rs 100 for his actual Rs 70 journey.

Frustrated by this perplexing series of events and the conductor's repeated failure to issue the correct fare and ticket, Shinu decided to take action.

Recognizing the potential for such errors to affect numerous passengers, he lodged a formal complaint with the KSRTC CMD, detailing the exact nature of the mix-up and the double issuance of the incorrect, higher-priced ticket. This incident casts a spotlight on the importance of meticulous ticketing procedures and effective communication within public transport services.

Passengers rely on KSRTC for affordable and reliable travel, and such instances of ticketing inaccuracies can erode trust and cause unnecessary inconvenience.

While human errors can occur, the repetition of the same mistake after it was explicitly pointed out raises questions about training and operational oversight. KSRTC's response to Shinu's complaint will be crucial in demonstrating its commitment to passenger welfare and rectifying operational shortcomings.