BRTS ticket dispute leaves student stressed in Ahmedabad

A minor diploma student from Ambawadi was allegedly harassed by staff of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) over a penalty for a missed ticket.

The student had initially sought a ticket from Panjrapol BRTS bus stand to Rabari Colony. However, the ticketing staff directed him to purchase it from the next station. When he got down at Nehrunagar to change buses and buy the ticket, the Rabari Colony bus had already arrived. Given the low frequency of BRTS buses, he boarded the bus to avoid further delay.

Later, realising he had not bought the ticket, the student got off at Anjali bus stand to purchase one. At that moment, the checking staff demanded to see his ticket. Nervous, he first claimed he had lost it. When he explained the real situation, the Anjali station staff refused to believe him and began pressuring him to pay a penalty.

As per BRTS rules, the officials should have contacted his guardian, considering the student was a minor. The student said, “I don’t have ₹100 for the penalty, so please talk to my guardian.” But no such effort was made. Instead, he was continuously pressured to make the payment online.

Since his guardian was in a low-network area and the payment app was not working, the student was unable to complete the transaction. Despite his repeated pleas, the BRTS officer responded coldly: “I can’t instruct the staff. The student should arrange money from somewhere.” As the online payment kept failing, the checking and security staff insulted and even manhandled him. They further threatened to call the police, leaving the frightened student with no option but to request a friend to pay the penalty online.

Even after the guardian had paid the penalty as well, BRTS/AMC collected a total of ₹200, which was never refunded. The incident not only caused the minor severe mental distress but also led to a spike in his blood pressure. Students allege that BRTS officials treat every young commuter like a thief, instead of showing responsibility and sensitivity.