PANJIM: The Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) will launch the `Mhaji Bus Scheme’ by hiring private buses on three routes — Canacona to Margao, Curchorem-Quepem-Margao and Curchorem-Ponda-Panjim from June 15.
Speaking to reporters, KTCL Chairman and MLA Ulhas Tuenkar on Monday said that the scheme will be implemented on above three routes on pilot basis for six months i.e. from June 15 to December 31. In all 41 private buses will be operated on Canacona to Margao route, 102 on Curchorem-Quepem-Margao route and 144 buses will be deployed on Curchorem-Ponda-Panjim route. On an average Rs 34 per km will be paid to the private bus owners with 180-kms as minimum assured distance and 60,000-km minimum assured kms per year.
The rate per km payable will be Rs 29 for 23 to 26 seats; Rs 34 for 27 to 38 seats and Rs 36 for 39 to 46 seater buses. Based on the feedback of the pilot routes, the scheme will be fine-tuned and final scheme will be prepared for all routes across the State, Tuenkar said adding that the scheme will be reviewed on monthly basis after taking views of the operators.
The responsibilities of operators will be to provide an experienced driver who in non-alcoholic and courteous towards the passengers. The KTCL will deploy its conductor on the bus and will also extend the concessional monthly pass scheme to the travellers on these buses.
Tuenkar said that private buses under the scheme will be used to provide last mile connectivity to remote villages by providing late night and early morning trips. Incidentally, of the 1,104 route permits issued to private operators, now only 578 buses are operating and there has been no new registration of private buses under stage carriers since 2018.
The KTCL will soon launch real time bus ticketing and tracking app, which will give real time bus schedules to commuters as well as allow them to book ticket through QR code and plan his/her journey accordingly. It has presently fitted Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) devices on 51 electric buses and 459 KTC buses. The routes covered by KTC are geo tracked and mobile application designing is under process. The Corporation intends to introduce this mobile app in public domain by mid-July.
The KTCL has also launched the scheme for hiring taxis for government departments on a monthly basis for a five-year period, informed Tuenkar.
