TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: With the introduction of monthly pass scheme, Kadamba Transport Corporation is expecting increased passenger inflow of 15 to 20 per cent, forcing it to procure more buses for its fleet, especially on nationalised routes.
Speaking to HERALD, Deputy General Manager (Traffic) KTC, S L Ghate said that the response to the scheme is overwhelming and KTC expects to issue around 40,000 passes by mid 2013. “We expect rise in passengers by 15 to 20 per cent. We are sure that the popularity of the scheme would bring in more passengers, who currently prefer to travel by private buses,” he said adding that ‘whether KTC has received migratory passengers from private buses, would be known only by January-end’.
Presently, around 80,000 passengers travel by KTC every day on an average, ~60,000 on intra-state and 20,000 on inter-state routes.
KTC which has 380 buses plans to purchase 43 new buses this January and 100 buses by March-end.
The pass scheme, effective from January 1, has roped in around 1800 passengers, while another 3000 applications are being processed by the KTC. Another 5,000 application forms have been taken by the public.
Ghate said that Corporation has already added two new buses on Panjim-Margao route, following increase in the number of passengers travelling by shuttle.
Currently, there are 52 buses plying on Panjim-Margao, Panjim-Vasco, Margao-Vasco routes and vice versa, with shuttles making 180 trips per day.
“Looking at the huge response it would be difficult for us to handle the traffic with the existing fleet. As far as local buses are concerned we can manage rise in passengers as there is standing capacity. But for shuttle, we will have to induct more buses,” Ghate said.
The government has given KTC Rs 5 crore subsidy to implement the scheme. From February onwards, the Corporation will issue zero tickets to the pass holders, which would help in quantifying the exact financial loss due to the scheme.
For general commuters, the concession is 50 percent for weekly pass, 60 per cent for fortnightly pass and 70 per cent for monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly passes.
Students and senior citizen will get 75 per cent concession for weekly pass, 80per cent for fortnightly pass and 85 per cent for monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly passes.
