Sir,
The minibus or matador service in the rural areas across Jammu region is a big menace to the passengers.The drivers of the matadors drive at their own will and whims and care little for the comfort and convenience of the passengers.It is often observed that the music systems in matadors are played at a high volume without bothering whether it is a nuisance to the travellers, especially the patients and small kids or not.Not only this, filthy and obscene songs are played at such a high volume that one cannot attend to one’s mobile phone.
Moreover,the drivers often stop at various stops for a long time causing much tension and discomfort to the passengers, besides wasting their precious time.They drive their vehicle only when they get more passengers.
The drivers often use their mobile phones while driving which may lead to accidents.In fact,recently a bus accident at Udhampur, in which two precious lives were lost, is reported to have been caused when the driver of the bus was fiddling with his mobile phone while driving.Fare lists too are not displayed promimently in the minibuses and passengers are reported to have been overcharged.Ifany passenger dares to demand the list of fare, the drivers and conductors indulge in misbehaviour with the passengers.The drivers don’t wear uniforms, which is obligatory for them.Often they resort to rash driving and overtaking thereby putting the life of passengers to great risk.
It is the duty of the transport authorities and traffic police to ensure that drivers of minibuses donot violate the traffic rules and motor vehicle act.There needs to be a check on overcharging and rash driving.Fitness certificates need to be issued after thorogh verification.
Time limit should be fixed for each station so that passengers are not put to disadvantage for no fault of theirs as drivers often take as much as an hour to cover a distance of merely15 kilometers.There should be a strict ban on playing music systems and using mobile phones while driving and drivers violating this ban should be heavily fined and repeated violators should face cancellation of their driving licences.
Yours etc…..
Ashok Sharma
Flat No 4,Housing Colony, Udhampur
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