RSTA claims passengers will suffer if the authority monitors luggage fare strictly
Passengers commuting on a bumpy, long, and winding road on public transport buses often pour out their frustrations for overcharging unreasonably higher prices for their luggage by the bus drivers and their helpers.
However, Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) officials claimed that the office did not receive a single formal complaint about operators charging unreasonable luggage prices.
RSTA claimed that it provides customers with luggage fare charge sheets for reference to the public online. However, many travelers are unaware of the fact that luggage charges collected by public transport are legal and there are services provided for them.
Chief Regional Transport Officer (CRTO), Sithar Dorji, reminded the RSTA’s regulatory clauses. Section 225 states that a passenger traveling by passenger bus shall only be allowed to carry 20 kilograms of luggage free of charge as accompanied luggage.
Section 226 states that the rate for luggage exceeding 20 kilograms(kg) per passenger shall be fixed by the authority from time to time considering the operational and other associated costs. However, RSTA didn’t share the last time the office reviewed the operational costs.
When the passenger carries luggage weighing more than 20 kg, an extra kilogram of luggage is charged Nu 0.10 for a kilometer (km). Considering the road distance between Thimphu and Trashigang as some 490 km, a passenger carrying an extra 10kg must pay Nu 490.
Even though collecting luggage fees is lawful, some people are still unaware of this and object whenever they are charged for extra luggage.
Lethro, a recent traveler from Wangdue Phodrang to Thimphu, said that she was unaware of the legality of luggage charges levied on the passengers. She said, “When I recently traveled to Thimphu with one of my friends, I thought we were being duped by the bus driver and the conductor when they charged Nu 100 for each of the suitcases, we were carrying just by lifting them and looking at them.”
Karma, a vegetable vendor, traveled from Punakha to Thimphu to sell her farm produce on weekends. She claimed that she had to make extra payments on two occasions. She said, “I am not satisfied as a humble farmer that the operators charged extra.”
Karma was charged Nu 100 for a larger sack of rice weighing up to 50kgs and Nu 50 for her smaller sack of rice weighing between 30-40 merely by looking at the size and lifting them by the bus driver or the conductor. She added, “I prefer traveling by bus as I thought it’s comparatively cheaper but now, I feel that it’s more or less similar to paying for a taxi.”
On the other hand, passengers who are aware of the buses collecting luggage fares are happy to pay the money. Sonam Zangmo said that she was charged Nu 100 for her luggage. She said, “I always pay the luggage fees whenever required. I know that the more luggage you have, the more you have to spend.” However, she is also doubtful of the maximum weight she is allowed to travel with on the buses. “I feel the amount charged for my luggage is fair as the buses pick up the luggage from my doorstep.”
Despite the availability of the RSTA luggage fare charge sheet for the public. There are cases of customers being charged extra by the bus drivers. Dema said, “When I am traveling it’s not a big deal to pay for my extra luggage. Since I can inquire if I have doubts. However, it was disheartening to see my parents being overcharged when they were traveling.”
Moreover, RSTA has set up customer complaint systems to prevent bus drivers from overcharging. A dissatisfied customer or a passenger could file a complaint using these four methods: Anyone can physically walk into any nearest RSTA Office.
A traveler can also contact the RSTA over the phone or write an e-mail, and also use the QRC sign found on every bus used for public transportation.
The majority of travelers are also unaware of the availability of a weighing scale at the bus station. Jigme, another passenger, claimed that he didn't know that the RSTA or the operators had a weighing scale to charge a fair price for extra kgs of luggage. “I’ll make sure to use the weighing scale in the future because I feel like I am being overcharged,” he added.
RSTA’s CRTO claimed that the regulatory authority has been conducting sensitization programs by collaborating with different responsible proprietors of society followed by making information and services available online. “Now it’s the responsibility of the people to look at it for a swift journey and payment experiences,” said Sithar Dorji.
Another regular public transport service user claimed that RSTA or the bus operators should issue a luggage ticket for fair service. “Usually, the bus driver keeps the extra luggage fee, and I wonder if it’s their side income as they never issue the ticket for it,” said the regular passenger.
A bus driver claimed that it’s unrealistic to weigh every piece of luggage being checked in or to carry a weighing scale all the time, for the buses need to reach their destination on time. He also said that they are considerate with a few extra luggage particularly carried along with the students, farmers, elderly passengers, and people in monk robes as a moral responsibility.
“Sometimes when we skip charging luggage, some passengers bring in too much luggage like we are some kind of goods carrier. To discourage people from treating a passenger transport bus like a goods carrier, we are left with no option but to charge them a minimal amount,” said one of the bus drivers at Lungtenzampa bus station.
“Moreover, many people like free services, and when they have to pay some extra few bucks, many leave with unhappy faces. Some even argue with the operators about using foul language. If a passenger is truly broke and unable to pay the required luggage charges, they just need to speak sweetly and we would understand it too,” added another professional driver.
The RSTA chief said, “If we strictly comply with the existing luggage charge sheets, in the end, it will be the passengers who will be at a disadvantage.” Since buses are meant mostly for commuters without personal cars or economically disadvantaged travelers, the luggage fares are left for the operators to manage.
Passengers commuting on a bumpy, long, and winding road on public transport buses often pour out their frustrations for overcharging unreasonably higher prices for their luggage by the bus drivers and their helpers.
However, Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) officials claimed that the office did not receive a single formal complaint about operators charging unreasonable luggage prices.
RSTA claimed that it provides customers with luggage fare charge sheets for reference to the public online. However, many travelers are unaware of the fact that luggage charges collected by public transport are legal and there are services provided for them.
Chief Regional Transport Officer (CRTO), Sithar Dorji, reminded the RSTA’s regulatory clauses. Section 225 states that a passenger traveling by passenger bus shall only be allowed to carry 20 kilograms of luggage free of charge as accompanied luggage.
Section 226 states that the rate for luggage exceeding 20 kilograms(kg) per passenger shall be fixed by the authority from time to time considering the operational and other associated costs. However, RSTA didn’t share the last time the office reviewed the operational costs.
When the passenger carries luggage weighing more than 20 kg, an extra kilogram of luggage is charged Nu 0.10 for a kilometer (km). Considering the road distance between Thimphu and Trashigang as some 490 km, a passenger carrying an extra 10kg must pay Nu 490.
Even though collecting luggage fees is lawful, some people are still unaware of this and object whenever they are charged for extra luggage.
Lethro, a recent traveler from Wangdue Phodrang to Thimphu, said that she was unaware of the legality of luggage charges levied on the passengers. She said, “When I recently traveled to Thimphu with one of my friends, I thought we were being duped by the bus driver and the conductor when they charged Nu 100 for each of the suitcases, we were carrying just by lifting them and looking at them.”
Karma, a vegetable vendor, traveled from Punakha to Thimphu to sell her farm produce on weekends. She claimed that she had to make extra payments on two occasions. She said, “I am not satisfied as a humble farmer that the operators charged extra.”
Karma was charged Nu 100 for a larger sack of rice weighing up to 50kgs and Nu 50 for her smaller sack of rice weighing between 30-40 merely by looking at the size and lifting them by the bus driver or the conductor. She added, “I prefer traveling by bus as I thought it’s comparatively cheaper but now, I feel that it’s more or less similar to paying for a taxi.”
On the other hand, passengers who are aware of the buses collecting luggage fares are happy to pay the money. Sonam Zangmo said that she was charged Nu 100 for her luggage. She said, “I always pay the luggage fees whenever required. I know that the more luggage you have, the more you have to spend.” However, she is also doubtful of the maximum weight she is allowed to travel with on the buses. “I feel the amount charged for my luggage is fair as the buses pick up the luggage from my doorstep.”
Despite the availability of the RSTA luggage fare charge sheet for the public. There are cases of customers being charged extra by the bus drivers. Dema said, “When I am traveling it’s not a big deal to pay for my extra luggage. Since I can inquire if I have doubts. However, it was disheartening to see my parents being overcharged when they were traveling.”
Moreover, RSTA has set up customer complaint systems to prevent bus drivers from overcharging. A dissatisfied customer or a passenger could file a complaint using these four methods: Anyone can physically walk into any nearest RSTA Office.
A traveler can also contact the RSTA over the phone or write an e-mail, and also use the QRC sign found on every bus used for public transportation.
The majority of travelers are also unaware of the availability of a weighing scale at the bus station. Jigme, another passenger, claimed that he didn't know that the RSTA or the operators had a weighing scale to charge a fair price for extra kgs of luggage. “I’ll make sure to use the weighing scale in the future because I feel like I am being overcharged,” he added.
RSTA’s CRTO claimed that the regulatory authority has been conducting sensitization programs by collaborating with different responsible proprietors of society followed by making information and services available online. “Now it’s the responsibility of the people to look at it for a swift journey and payment experiences,” said Sithar Dorji.
Another regular public transport service user claimed that RSTA or the bus operators should issue a luggage ticket for fair service. “Usually, the bus driver keeps the extra luggage fee, and I wonder if it’s their side income as they never issue the ticket for it,” said the regular passenger.
A bus driver claimed that it’s unrealistic to weigh every piece of luggage being checked in or to carry a weighing scale all the time, for the buses need to reach their destination on time. He also said that they are considerate with a few extra luggage particularly carried along with the students, farmers, elderly passengers, and people in monk robes as a moral responsibility.
“Sometimes when we skip charging luggage, some passengers bring in too much luggage like we are some kind of goods carrier. To discourage people from treating a passenger transport bus like a goods carrier, we are left with no option but to charge them a minimal amount,” said one of the bus drivers at Lungtenzampa bus station.
“Moreover, many people like free services, and when they have to pay some extra few bucks, many leave with unhappy faces. Some even argue with the operators about using foul language. If a passenger is truly broke and unable to pay the required luggage charges, they just need to speak sweetly and we would understand it too,” added another professional driver.
The RSTA chief said, “If we strictly comply with the existing luggage charge sheets, in the end, it will be the passengers who will be at a disadvantage.” Since buses are meant mostly for commuters without personal cars or economically disadvantaged travelers, the luggage fares are left for the operators to manage.
