Team Herald
MARGAO: Government has reduced the concessions on the seasonal passes issued to regular KTC commuters by 5 per cent across all types of passes and will come into effect from January 1, 2019.
Goa Government has notified the ‘Seasonal Pass Scheme for Daily Commuters and Students by Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited 2019’ which will replace the existing seasonal pass scheme. However, government employees and students are already upset over the reduction in concession in the scheme and are planning to submit a memorandum to the Transport Director to increase the subsidy.
Under the new scheme, public can obtain a weekly pass with 40% concession, a fortnightly pass with 50% concession and a monthly, quarterly and yearly pass with 60% concession. In the 2012 scheme, the concessions were 45%, 55% and 65% respectively.
Similarly, students and others who are presently eligible for 50% concession can apply for a weekly pass with 70% concession, a fortnightly pass with 75% concession and a monthly, quarterly and yearly pass with 80% concession. In the 2012 scheme, the concessions were 75%, 80% and 85% respectively.
The concessional pass will entitle the user to travel during the validity of the pass on any number of occasions on the route or part of the route for which the pass is issued.
Interestingly, additional amount of Rs 15 crore will be released by the government for operating the scheme. The financial implication of the scheme is that the government will pay a subsidy to Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) the extent of actual concession given by the KTCL to the pass holder. The subsidy will be claimed by the Corporation every quarter on the basis of the presumption of 75% travelling during the quarter by the eligible concessional pass holders.
Through this scheme, the government hopes to alleviate the common man from the problems such as road congestion, accidents pollution and parking problems which are a result of increase in self owned transport services like motor bikes, cars, etc.
