Port Blair, May 28: There have been several complaints regarding non-refund of STS Bus tickets for travel on the ATR, booked in advance by intending travellers. On several occasions, either due to the fault of the State Transport Service or due to emergencies arising at the passengers end, travel is not possible and ultimately the passengers are at loss. On many occasions passengers have a good amount of their hard earned money due to no cancellation procedures in place.

Advance booking of tickets in departments like Transport and Shipping has been introduced since long. While the Shipping Services has excelled atleast by introducing STARS, with fool proof arrangements to refund money for unavoidable situations, the Directorate of Transport appears to prefer the outdated rule of purchase and forget.   

There are also suggestions being received in Andaman Chronicle such as, ‘Since tickets are issued 10 days in advance, there is every possibility of change in travel plans. Under such changed scenario, the STS must think of introducing cancellation procedures for Express service tickets’.

It can be expected that the concerned authorities of Directorate of Transport, a service department of A&N Administration would look into the issue and rectify the loopholes in ticketing procedures, in the interest of the general public.