Despite the rapid rise in personal vehicles in Goa, there is a huge population which is dependent on the public transport system as their main source of commuting, especially for long distance travel. Most of the people commute in the State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) buses, while some travel in the private buses.
But these commuters are facing a lot of hardships. From overcrowded buses to poor connectivity, especially in the hinterlands, daily travelling in buses is a huge hassle for the Goans.
People residing in rural areas in particular, have been demanding improvement in the bus connectivity to Margao and Panjim, amongst other major bus stops in Goa.
There is also always a rush to avoid the last bus given that post 8-9 pm it is difficult to get buses. For example, the last bus from Margao KTC to Panjim via KTC shuttle bus is at 8 pm while the private bus leaves at 9.30 pm.
The last bus from Margao KTC to Vasco via KTC shuttle is at 7 pm. Sources said that the bus would leave later before the pandemic but due to less passengers since that time, the last bus now leaves at 7 pm.
However, even during regular hours, such as the routes between Margao and Panjim/Vasco etc, there have been calls for more buses to be available during the peak timings in order to handle the huge rush of passengers at that time buses are packed like sardines. The fact that AC buses have been diverted for transport to and fro from Mopa airport, there has been a lesser number of buses available for the commuters of these nationlised routes.
“Just one Kadamba bus plying on Panjim Market to Margao Road at 5.45 pm is insufficient as a lot of commuters travel in the same bus and have to keep standing for a long journey every day and as there are also aged people travelling in the bus. In spite of officially requesting the KTC by letters & timely following on the same, there is no response,” said Neelai Naik, a regular traveller.
“There are a lot of government and private employees travelling from Margao to Panjim and vice versa. There are three to four buses which travel in Panjim Market in the morning…but single bus in the evening is not sufficient to transport all the commuters. We are suffering a lot and therefore I request you to introduce one more bus in the evening from Panaji Market to Margao Route,” she added in a message to the KTC Chairman Ulhas Tuenkar.
Similar problems are shared by those who travel long distances, be it in the private or Kadamba buses.
“There is a problem during peak hours where there is a big rush and not so many buses. As it is, people have to walk long distances to the main road to get a bus,” said a flower vendor, Laxmi Velip, who travels from Canacona to Margao.
Concerns have also been raised about how buses wait only if there are passengers at the bus stop and sometimes, they ignore routes where there are less passengers.
And when it comes to holidays like a Sunday or a public holiday, commuters are forced to make arrangements for alternative means, like hiring a rickshaw or motorcycle pilot.
“There is a real problem on weekends too like say Sunday when we need to travel for functions but getting a bus is a problem,” said Rita Fernandes from Curtorim.
Another frequent bus user observed that several private buses have discontinued their operations and not renewed their respective permits issued to them by the Transport department resulting in several commuters affected especially students, senior citizens and women.
Team Herald spoke to travellers from various parts of the State, who shared their grievances which pertain to their route but their woes are similar to what other locals from other places of Goa similarly experience.
