Bengaluru: The police in coordination with RTO officials filed cases against as many as 74 auto-rickshaw and private bus drivers for charging exuberant fares on passengers after receiving loads of complaints from daily commuters.

The police took out a special drive to identify errant drivers who tried to misuse the opportunity created by the absence of state-run buses plying on roads due to strike. The drive began early in the morning and went on till 12 noon on Tuesday, July 26.

Most of the errant drivers were fined up to Rs 1,000 and let go. But, they were all booked under several sections. Hence, a few autos and a private bus were seized at different localities in the city, police sources said.

Meanwhile, special cabs were arranged for patients from key points to the nearest hospitals with the help of private companies and travel agencies, sources said.