Hosur: A Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus driver has been suspended after a passenger allegedly clung to the front windshield of a moving bus for around 500 metres following an argument between the two at Hosur.
The incident occurred on Thursday when a TNSTC town bus travelling from Hosur to Pannapalli stopped to pick up passengers. A passenger from Bagalur reportedly boarded the bus intending to travel to Thummanapalli.
According to reports, the passenger later asked the driver, M Ramesh Kumar, to allow him to get down before reaching his intended destination. The driver allegedly refused the request, following which the passenger eventually alighted at his destination.
Argument breaks out between passenger and driver
After getting down from the bus, the passenger and driver reportedly became involved in a heated argument.
The disagreement escalated when the passenger allegedly positioned himself in front of the bus as the driver attempted to move the vehicle.
According to reports, the passenger then clung to the bus’s front windshield.
Despite the dangerous situation, the bus allegedly continued moving, with the passenger remaining attached to the front of the vehicle for approximately 500 metres.
The bus was subsequently brought to a stop.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the exact sequence of events are being examined following the complaint and the video footage that emerged online.
Passenger’s dangerous ride captured on camera
A fellow passenger reportedly recorded the incident on a mobile phone.
The video showed the passenger clinging to the front portion of the moving bus, creating a potentially dangerous situation for both the passenger and other road users.
The footage was later circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the incident and the circumstances that led to the passenger being carried on the front of the moving vehicle.
The incident has also raised questions about the response of the bus crew when a passenger positioned himself in front of the vehicle.
TNSTC suspends driver
The TNSTC management took action after taking note of the viral video and a complaint filed against the driver.
TNSTC General Manager suspended Ramesh Kumar from service on Friday, a day after the incident.
The suspension followed the corporation’s consideration of the allegations and the circumstances captured in the video.
The action comes amid concerns over passenger safety and the responsibilities of public transport staff when disputes arise with passengers.
Incident raises passenger safety concerns
The episode highlights the potentially serious consequences of confrontations between passengers and public transport staff.
A passenger clinging to the front of a moving bus creates an immediate risk of injury, while continuing to drive under such circumstances could put the passenger, other occupants and road users in danger.
Public transport drivers are responsible for operating vehicles safely and responding appropriately to unexpected situations. At the same time, passengers are also expected to avoid actions that could endanger themselves or others.
In this case, the dispute reportedly began over where the passenger wanted to alight. What started as a disagreement eventually escalated into a dangerous confrontation on the road.
The viral video has brought the incident to wider public attention, prompting the transport corporation to take disciplinary action against the driver.
Further details regarding any additional action against those involved were not immediately available.