Passengers from different areas on the outskirts of summer capital here complained of overcharging by Sumos, accusing the authorities of failing to ensure strict adherence to the rate list.
The passengers said that the sumo drivers resort toovercharging despite no change in the rates since 2016.
“I regularly travel from Gasso to Lal Chowk and I amsupposed to pay Rs 30 as fare. But we are often overcharged and the situationfrequently ends up in an argument. The sumo drivers don’t abide by the ratelist,” said Amir, a passenger from Gasso.
The passengers also complained about overloading in theSumos. Another passenger, Showkat Ahmad, said that as per the rules, the middleseat of the Sumo is reserved for three passengers.
But, he said, without caring for the rules, four passengersare pushed into the middle seat. “It becomes very inconvenient particularlywhen there is a female passenger,” he said.
Regional Transport Officer Kashmir Ikramullah Tak said thatthere was no change in rate list from August 2016.
“If anyone has any complaint regarding violation of rules,they can contact our ARTOs. We assure that strict action will be taken againsterring drivers,” Tak said.
He put the onus of doing away with the menace of overloadingon passengers. “We need their cooperation. They should make it a point not toencourage overloading in the Sumo,” he said.