Why Robin Bus Was Fined? Issue Explained In Detail

The operators of Robin Bus in Kerala began a bus service between Pathanamthitta in Kerala to Coimbatore in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and operated a tourist bus as an intra-state service with a destination board, picking and dropping passengers as it pleases if it has an All India Tourist Permit (AITP). 

The 'Robin' bus, which operated on the Pathanamthitta-Coimbatore route with an All India Tourist Permit, was impounded by the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Department in Coimbatore on Sunday.

On Sunday morning, he left Pathanamthitta and reached the Tamil Nadu border at K.G. at 11.30. When it reached Chavadi, the Tamil Nadu Motor Transport Department blocked the vehicle.

The Robin bus was detained for violating the permit. Robin Bus owner Gireesh had alleged that the bus was not released despite being shown the documents. There were 23 passengers on the bus, including three women and two children. On Saturday, when the first service of the bus started, the bus was stopped at four places in Kerala and fined Rs 37,500 within two days. 

On Saturday, the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Department asked the bus owner to pay Rs 70,410, including tax for 40 seats and a fine for non-payment during the inspection at Chavadi check post. The notice given to the bus owner says that the green tax has been collected from November 18 to 24. 

Even after MVD in Kerala and Tamil Nadu slapped fines of nearly Rs 1 lakh, the bus owner declared that he would continue the service. After paying the amount, he returned to Coimbatore Ukkadam at 8 pm. He was taken into custody when he arrived for the second service on Sunday. 

The bus was said to be produced in court on Monday, but it did not happen. Due to this, the owner approached the RTO, demanding to release the bus after paying a fine.

"I didn't know that there were so many people with me. I don't see this as support for myself; it's also a reply to the officials' arrogance. Between the Paliyekkara toll in Thrissur district and the Panniyankara toll in Palakkad district, the local people waved and stopped the bus at seven places, giving it a warm welcome. 

The local people confronted the Motor Vehicle Department officials, booing them. Large crowds came to most of the places. Because of this, the distance which was supposed to be covered in 7 hours was covered in 15 hours," Gireesh said.

Did Robin Bus Violate The Law?

The tour buses were following the Central Motor Vehicles Act's regulations. Taxes were had to be paid separately in each state. Buses can now operate anywhere nationwide with a permit obtained online according to the All India Tourist Permit Act.

A bus given an AITP permit is subject to a quarterly tax of Rs 3,000 per seat, whereas the tax rate for a stage carriage bus is Rs 600 per seat. The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, Sections 85(6) through 85(9), prohibit contract carriage buses from stopping at bus stands or picking up passengers en route. According to bus proprietors, the centre has loosened these regulations for All India Tourist Permits.