TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
BICHOLIM: Passengers travelling by bus from Panjim to Bicholim every evening have expressed displeasure over Kadamba Transport Corporation’s apathy to provide a bus service during peak hours, leaving them stranded for nearly two hours at the Panjim bus stand.
According to reports, a large number of people from Bicholim, Sanquelim and Sattari work in Panjim and rely on the daily bus service. However, most of them have to wait for about two hours at the Panjim bus stand due to unavailability of bus service to return home.
According to commuters on this route, about five KTC buses ply from Panjim to Valpoi via Bicholim between 5 pm and 6 pm, but between 6 pm and 8.15 pm there is no service. After 6 pm, the next KTC bus leaves from Panjim to Valpoi at about 8.15 pm, while the last bus leaves at 8.30 pm.
“We had written to the KTC on January 2, 2014, highlighting the problem faced by us. The department told me there is a shortage of drivers and the service should start by February end,” Shraddha Gauthankar told Herald.
“As per their claim, the bus facility had started in February 2014 from Panjim to Bicholim at 7.40 pm. The bus was a direct one as it never went into Mapusa but took the by-pass route,” she added.
When commuters thought it was the end to their misery, they were in for a rude shock when this bus service continued for only two months and was discontinued again.
“The government has started the bus pass facility, where we can obtain a monthly pass for a particular route. However, due to lack of bus service, I feel the basic purpose of this facility is defeated,” said Gauthankar.
The affected passengers have urged the authorities to look into the matter and resume the bus service.