PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that the subsidy on monthly Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) bus passes will be increased from 10% to 20% from November 1, while annual pass holders will receive a 30% discount valid for 365 days across all bus terminals.
Addressing the corporation's 46th anniversary celebrations in Panaji, Sawant said the government was modernising public transport through digital ticketing, advance booking systems, GIS mapping and the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs).
Established in 1980, Kadamba has played an important role in connecting communities across Goa, particularly in rural areas where public transport remains essential, he said.
“Rather than competing with private bus operators, the government launched the ‘Mhaji Bus’ scheme to collaborate with them and provide better services to the public,” Sawant said. He added that, following requests from private bus owners, the scheme was placed under the Directorate of Transport, with operators receiving an additional provision of Rs 20,000 per month over and above their regular income.
The Chief Minister also outlined measures to improve employee welfare, stating that contractual employees would receive annual salary increments instead of having their fixed salaries frozen for seven years. An automatic confirmation formula had also been introduced, he said.
Contractual staff are covered under Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deductions and have been provided an additional insurance cover of Rs 16 lakh, on par with emergency service personnel, Sawant said.
Highlighting women's participation in public transport, he said Pooja Wayalankar had become a woman driver with Kadamba, joining female conductors and women operating Pink Autos in Goa.
On infrastructure, Sawant referred to the newly inaugurated Bicholim bus stand, ongoing works at Margao and planned modernisation of the Mapusa, Panaji and Margao terminals. He invited people to participate in the corporation's golden jubilee celebrations as it approaches 50 years of service.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said Kadamba must continue prioritising public service over profits, particularly in rural areas where private transport options were limited.
“Kadamba is a public service organisation, not a profit-centric entity,” Godinho said, noting that the corporation had expanded from operating a limited number of routes to running diesel buses, shuttle services, smaller buses and electric buses across Goa.
He said pilot bus services had been introduced in industrial estates to assist workers, including women employees. Despite rising fuel prices and operating costs, the government had refrained from increasing fares to avoid burdening commuters.
Godinho urged the managing director, officers and staff to maintain timetable discipline and ensure alternative buses were deployed promptly in case of breakdowns or traffic-related disruptions.
“We have requested the Chief Minister to expand the bus fleet, add spare buses and increase coverage for students and industrial workers,” he said, appealing to employees to resolve grievances through dialogue rather than strikes or service disruptions.
KTCL Chairman Ulhas Tuenkar said the corporation currently operated 677 buses, comprising 479 diesel buses and 198 electric buses, with more than 100 buses running on interstate routes.
“Even though diesel prices increased from Rs 80 to Rs 98 per litre, leading to a daily operating loss of nearly Rs 3 lakh, our Chief Minister instructed us not to increase fares to avoid burdening the public,” Tuenkar said.
He said passenger fares had not been increased for nearly seven years. Kadamba had recruited nearly 500 drivers and conductors over the past four years, while employees received their salaries before the 10th of every month, he added.
Tuenkar said the Vasco bus stand had commenced operations, while the Margao and Mapusa bus stands were expected to become operational shortly. The corporation was also working to improve digital ticketing and mobile-based booking facilities.
He added that 27 buses were being scrapped under the 15-year vehicle scrapping rule, with a request submitted to the Chief Minister for their phased replacement. Tuenkar also highlighted the appointment of women drivers and two female Traffic Checking Inspectors, alongside female conductors.
