Robin bus that runs from Pathanamthitta to Coimbatore, which was embroiled in a constant legal tussle with the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) over permit violations, is back on the road once again. The bus began its journey from Pathanamthitta at 5 AM on Tuesday morning with 41 pre-booked passengers. The MVD inspected the passenger list at Mylapra soon after the bus began its journey.

Baby Girish, bus operator, said that he was travelling with the bus as he anticipated disruption along the way. If the MVD officials do not inspect today, the public will point out a dereliction on their part and thus they are sure to conduct checks, Girish said. Apart from the passengers, many others also gathered at the Pathanamthitta bus stand in the wee hours of Tuesday to see the bus depart.

I have proved that it is legal to run this service on the All India Tourist Permit. Four other buses are also set to begin similar services, Girish said. The only hurdle left now is to pay the fee, he added.

The bus that was seized by the MVD recently was released with the help of a court verdict. As per the order of the Pathanamthitta Judicial First Class Magistrate, the bus was released after paying a fine of Rs 82,000. 

On November 24, Robin bus was seized by the MVD officials at around 2 AM under the guise that the vehicle could be impounded for repeated violations. Later, the bus was transferred to the Pathanamthitta AR camp. 

MVD officials also point out that the recent Kerala High Court ruling only allowed Robin Bus to conduct trips with pre-booked passengers. The All India Tourist Permit rules stipulate that vehicles pick up passengers from a specific place and drop them off at another spot. However, it was argued that interstate buses operate as stage carriers by enabling passengers to board at random locations.