Pune RTO Cracks Down On Illegal Passenger Transport In Private Cars
Pune, 11th January 2025: In a bid to curb the illegal transport of passengers in private cars, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has launched a stringent campaign targeting violators. The initiative, which involves six dedicated teams, aims to address growing complaints about private vehicles being used for commercial passenger transport via app-based car-sharing services.
Under the Motor Vehicles Act, using private cars to transport passengers for a fee is illegal. However, a rising trend has been observed where drivers advertise their travel plans on car-sharing apps, allowing users to book seats for intercity and intracity travel. This practice, while convenient for passengers, violates transportation laws and has prompted the RTO to take action.
The campaign covers seven key locations across Pune, including Wagholi, Viman Nagar, Hadapsar, Swargate, Chandni Chowk, and Navale Bridge. The RTO’s Vayuveg squads have been deployed to these hotspots, where officers book rides as dummy passengers through these apps to gather evidence. Once violations are confirmed, stringent action is taken against the offenders.
According to RTO officials, penalties for such violations include fines of up to ₹10,000 and potential seizure of the vehicle. Additionally, a separate tax may be levied for each passenger found in the vehicle.
“The misuse of private cars for commercial transport undermines legal public transport systems and violates the Motor Vehicles Act. We are committed to addressing this issue and ensuring compliance with the law,” stated an RTO official.
