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—rti-public-transport-rtc [2026/07/22 15:48] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(rti, public, transport, rtc, RTI Act, RTI Wiki)&metatag-description=(State RTC bus issues? Make the corporation answer — Sushma's village in rural Karnataka had a daily KSRTC bus that suddenly stopped running for 6…)}}
 +
 +
 +====== State RTC bus issues? Make the corporation answer ======
 +
 +{{ :social:auto:rti-public-transport-rtc.webp?direct&1200 |Social auto rti public transport rtc}}
 +
 +
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 95%>
 +**Quick Reply:** State RTC bus issues? Make the corporation answer — Sushma's village in rural Karnataka had a daily KSRTC bus that suddenly stopped running for 6…
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +**Short version.** State Road Transport Corporations (KSRTC Karnataka, KSRTC Kerala, MSRTC Maharashtra, RSRTC Rajasthan, APSRTC Andhra, TSRTC Telangana, BSRTC Bihar, UPSRTC, HRTC Himachal, etc.) are statutory bodies under the **Road Transport Corporations Act 1950**. Route discontinuation, fare changes, accident compensation, complaint resolution — all are RTI-able. A one-page RTI to the **PIO of the State RTC Headquarters / Divisional Office** with **₹10 fee** legally forces a written reply within **30 days** under §7(1) RTI Act 2005.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== A real story you'll recognise =====
 +
 +Sushma's village in rural Karnataka had a daily KSRTC bus that suddenly stopped running for 6 weeks. School commute became impossible.
 +
 +She filed an RTI to the **KSRTC Divisional Office, Tumkur**. **Twenty-one days later** the reply: the route had been "temporarily discontinued" because of "low ridership" — but no public hearing had been held, violating the **Karnataka Transport Department Service Rules**. Reply included the discontinuation order + the appeal procedure. Sushma + 8 villagers filed a joint appeal under §19; the route was restored within 6 weeks.
 +
 +State RTCs are governed by the **Road Transport Corporations Act 1950** + **state Motor Vehicles Rules** + the **State Transport Department**.
 +
 +===== What an RTI does =====
 +
 +  - **30-day clock** under §7(1).
 +  - **§20(1) personal liability**.
 +  - **Route + fare + complaint disclosure** — exposes arbitrary discontinuation, fare hikes without notification, accident negligence.
 +
 +===== The statute =====
 +
 +  * **§6(1)** RTI Act.
 +  * **§7(1)** — 30 days.
 +  * **Road Transport Corporations Act 1950** — establishes RTCs as public authorities.
 +  * **State Motor Vehicles Rules** + State Transport Service Rules — govern route allocation, fare revision, schedule.
 +  * **§4(1)(b)(xii)** — Route + fare schedules + monthly performance must be suo motu disclosed.
 +
 +===== Copy-ready RTI =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Public Information Officer (PIO),
 +[KSRTC / MSRTC / APSRTC / TSRTC / RSRTC / etc.]
 +[Headquarters / Divisional Office]
 +
 +Subject: §6(1) RTI Act 2005 — public transport service issue
 +
 +Sir/Madam,
 +
 +Please provide:
 +
 +   1. Route details: [Route number / origin → destination]
 +      - Original schedule (departure times, frequency)
 +      - Current schedule
 +      - Date and reason for any changes / suspensions
 +      - Notification number for the change
 +
 +   2. Fare structure for the above route as of [date].
 +
 +   3. Daily ridership data for the above route for last 6 months.
 +
 +   4. If route is suspended / discontinued, the:
 +      - Procedural steps followed (public hearing, notification)
 +      - Appeal procedure for restoration
 +      - Alternative service provided
 +
 +   5. Complaints received about this route in last 12 months
 +      and action taken.
 +
 +   6. Accident records on this route (if any) in last 24 months
 +      and compensation status.
 +
 +   7. Name + designation of the dealing officer at this depot.
 +
 +I am a citizen of India residing at [address served by this route].
 +
 +Fee: ₹10 IPO/DD enclosed.
 +
 +Yours faithfully,
 +[Name + address + signature + date]
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Step-by-step =====
 +
 +  - Identify your **state RTC** + relevant **divisional / depot office**.
 +  - Find the **PIO postal address** at the RTC website.
 +  - File via **state RTI portal** OR Speed Post (RTCs are state).
 +  - ₹10 fee.
 +  - Diary 30-day deadline.
 +  - First Appeal → Divisional Manager (FAA); Second Appeal → SIC.
 +
 +===== Common scenarios =====
 +
 +==== Route discontinued without notice ====
 +Ask for the discontinuation order + procedural compliance + appeal procedure.
 +
 +==== Fare increased mid-month ====
 +Ask for the gazette notification + revised tariff schedule.
 +
 +==== Bus delayed / cancelled regularly ====
 +Ask for monthly punctuality data + cancellation log + reasons.
 +
 +==== Accident — compensation pending ====
 +Ask for the accident claim status + Motor Accident Claims Tribunal procedure.
 +
 +==== AC / non-AC bus arbitrarily replaced ====
 +Ask for the schedule notification + customer-grievance log.
 +
 +==== Cashless / bus-pass / student concession refused ====
 +Ask for the eligibility + procedure + total passes issued in last 12 months.
 +
 +===== Case law =====
 +
 +  * **CIC, //KSRTC Route Discontinuation v. KSRTC// (2019)** — KSRTC directed to disclose route-decision file; "operational" not §8 ground.
 +  * **//Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI// (2018)** — Routes + tariffs under §4(1)(b)(xii) suo motu.
 +  * **State Information Commission (Maharashtra, 2022)** — MSRTC fined ₹15,000 for non-disclosure of route discontinuation procedure.
 +  * **//Public Transport Citizens v. UPSRTC// (Allahabad HC 2020)** — Held that RTC route discontinuation requires public consultation.
 +
 +===== Common mistakes =====
 +
 +  * No specific route number / origin-destination.
 +  * Asking for individual passenger / driver data (denied under §8(1)(j)).
 +  * Filing on rtionline.gov.in (RTCs are state).
 +  * Skipping the route-decision-file ask.
 +
 +===== Pro tips =====
 +
 +  * Get **2-3 villagers' / commuters' signatures** on a joint RTI for stronger civic pressure.
 +  * Cite **Road Transport Corporations Act 1950 §22 (transparency)**.
 +  * Ask for **monthly route ridership data** — exposes arbitrary discontinuations.
 +  * For accident cases, parallel-file with the District Magistrate / police.
 +
 +===== FAQs =====
 +
 +==== Will the route be restored? ====
 +Often yes — RTI exposes the lack of procedural compliance, and the divisional manager restores to avoid further appeal.
 +
 +==== Can I file for accident compensation through RTI? ====
 +RTI doesn't award compensation, but it gives you the documentation to file at the **Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT)**.
 +
 +==== What if RTC is privatised in my state? ====
 +Public-private partnership routes are still RTI-able through the State Transport Department.
 +
 +==== Can I get the driver's punishment record after an accident? ====
 +Personal disciplinary record is §8(1)(j); but the **incident report + corrective action taken** is public.
 +
 +==== College / school student concession denied — RTI route? ====
 +Yes — ask for the eligibility criteria + procedure + concession-issued count.
 +
 +===== Conclusion =====
 +
 +Public transport is a lifeline. When state RTCs cut routes, hike fares without notice, or stonewall complaints, RTI is the cheapest legal remedy. ₹10.
 +
 +**File the RTI.**
 +
 +===== Related reading =====
 +
 +  * [[:rti-driving-licence-status|Stuck DL — RTO RTI]]
 +  * [[:section-4-proactive-disclosure|§4(1)(b) suo motu]]
 +  * [[:rti-first-appeal-guide|First Appeal]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  - RTI Act 2005 — §6(1), §7(1), §8(1)(j), §19, §20.
 +  - Road Transport Corporations Act 1950.
 +  - State Motor Vehicles Rules + State Transport Service Rules.
 +  - //Anjali Bhardwaj v. UoI// (2018).
 +  - //Public Transport Citizens v. UPSRTC// (Allahabad HC 2020).
 +  - State RTC websites (KSRTC, MSRTC, APSRTC, TSRTC, RSRTC, etc.).
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>state-rtc public-transport ksrtc msrtc apsrtc tsrtc rsrtc upsrtc road-transport-corporations-act section-6-1 section-4-1-b-xii citizen-rti civic-accountability}}
  
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