Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A passenger had to chase a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus for nearly 35 kilometres on a bike and later in a taxi after the conductor allegedly refused to halt the vehicle and allow him to board, despite having a reserved ticket.

The incident involved a passenger who had booked a ticket for the KSRTC Super Deluxe bus from Nilambur to Thiruvananthapuram on January 18. He was travelling to the state capital for a job interview.

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Although he managed to follow the bus and reach behind it, the conductor reportedly told him over the phone that “there was no point in following” and that he could board only if the bus was physically stopped.

Caught in traffic, the passenger was delayed in reaching the stand. Even though he informed that he would arrive within five minutes, the conductor recorded him as absent and signalled the driver to continue the journey.

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By the time the bus was exiting the stand onto the road, the passenger had reached the premises on another person’s bike and ran behind the bus waving his hand. However, the conductor allegedly ignored him. Other passengers reportedly urged the conductor to stop, but he replied that rules did not permit halting the bus for someone chasing it.

The passenger then got off the bike and hired a taxi to pursue the bus. The taxi driver, understanding the urgency, drove for about 15 minutes at high speed and managed to overtake the bus after a 20-kilometre chase.

Following a complaint, a vigilance squad conducted an inquiry and found fault on the part of the conductor. KSRTC has barred the Thiruvananthapuram depot conductor, A Sulaiman, from working on super-class services.