I received another mail from S.M. Hussain who writes, “On the other day, I travelled from Nehru Place to Badarpur Border by an RTV (Rural Transport Vehicle) i.e., mini-bus. This is the only mode of transport between the two important landmarks for hundreds of commuters working either at Nehru Place or Okhla Industrial Area Phase I, II, III and also to devotees visiting the oldest shrine Kalkaji Mandir. These CNG rural transport vehicles (RTVs) were introduced four years back, especially on the suburban routes, when the Delhi Government introduced CNG buses putting diesel vehicles off the roads.

“These buses out-lived their life because of over-load of passengers and bad use. I was shocked to see when I boarded one of the buses that it had no proper windows, seats or doors. It was in such a ramshackle condition that I felt any moment it might break into pieces. The passengers were herded inside the bus like cattle. Although the maximum capacity of the bus is 18 passengers but more than fifty passengers were squeezed inside it with a couple of passengers sitting right on the driver’s lap.

“The bus kept pace with loud music. Then the actual race began. Four RTVs began the race like monsters on the road unmindful of human life or other vehicles or traffic police. They broke all traffic rules jumping all the traffice-lights with impunity. It looked as if the traffic police have exempted them from driving in the bus-lanes, stopping at the signals, stopping at the bus stops and driving within the speed limit.

“The traffic police were watching these formula RTVs in action like mute spectators. Unless the Delhi police take action against these mini-monsters a big tragedy is waiting to happen. It is high time the transport department abolished RTVs from Delhi roads and introduced DTC buses because these buses were introduced as a temporary relief to the harried commuters when CNG was introduced because of shortage of CNG buses and not as a permanent solution.”

I truly agree with you statement and can well imagine your journey in it. Perhaps, even I have faced the same problem while travelling in these buses. On top of it, they charge even more money from commuters. Actually these buses have been given permit to ply on feeder routes. However, none cares to check them. The fitness test on such buses should be done quite frequently and even traffic police should discipline them instead of taking the customary money from them. RTVs are a real source of income for the cops on the roads. I have seen them taking money. In fact each blueline bus or an RTV has a copybook on the dashboard, which is signed by a constable. That copybook acts as a ledger where all the entries relating to payment made to traffic cops are made. Once this practice stops and cops actually start booking RTVs, only then these guys will straighten up. Until then swear that you won’t board an RTV again.