GUNTURCITY BUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION Vs. TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Writ Petition is filed by the Guntur City Bus Owners Association making out a grievance that they are being harassed at the instance of the 6th respondent and that they should be allowed to operate the buses in pursuance of the permits granted by the authorities.

(2.) The petitioner submits that there are about 40 city routes in the Guntur town and 130 buses are being operated in the said t.own on the town/city bus service routes catering to the needs of the travelling public. Apart from this, the R.T.C. is also conducting transport operations. It appears that some fatal accidents took place while operating the buses and therefore there was commotion and public resistance in the township. Some of the private buses were also damaged on account of fatal accidents. The 6th respondent organisation is spearheading the cause of the victims and trying to pressurise the officials with a view to harass the private transport operators. The police and transport authorities are also yielding to the pressure of the organisation and therefore they seek appropriate direction to permit them to operate stage carriage buses on 6 town route services mentioned in the writ petition.

(3.) The police filed counter stating that the accidents are taking place in the city and that some of the permits were also recommended for cancellation. Proceedings were also initiated on the drivers. There is a public agitation protesting against the rash and negligent operation, of the private operators and they also sought for regulation of the buses.