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VASCO
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday said efforts were in progress to evolve a new system to enable Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) hire private buses and ply them on local routes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister was speaking to reporters after a joint meeting with transport stakeholders like private bus owners, motorcycle pilots, driving school associations and transport officials at his constituency office in New Vaddem.
“Vasco-based private bus owners claimed it would not be feasible for them to comply with social distancing norms and ply with 50% capacity in their buses. I have offered them a proposal that instead of running private buses along local routes, private bus owners could opt to give their buses to KTC, who will hire the private buses and ply services on behalf of KTC.”
"We will decide on terms and conditions, rate per km and other aspects, but as of now, private buses would have to look after maintenance and salary of drivers, while conductors would be
deployed by KTC and revenue would be collected by KTC.”
“Most private bus owners have already met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and have agreed to the proposal. We are now discussing and working out terms and conditions. I will meet all stakeholders and listen to them, before taking a call on forming a strategy where we can run even private buses so that people can travel in comfort and are not inconvenienced," said Godinho.
