the goan I network
VASCO
Stating that the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) had suffered Rs 9.54 crore losses during the last fiscal, KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida claimed that the transport corporation could turn profitable after building new bus terminuses in different parts of the State.
Almeida was speaking to reporters during a news conference in Vasco on Friday to mark the 39th anniversary of KTC. “KTCL had a deficit of Rs 9.54 crore during the last financial year. However, the KTC has continued to offer best services to passengers and profits can only be generated up after we new build bus terminuses in the State.”
“We have taken a decision to build a new KTC bus terminus at Vasco, Margao, Mapusa and other locations. These new bus terminuses will fetch us more rent,” said Almeida.
The KTC chairperson admitted that the public transport service like KTC would always find it difficult to generate profits, given its service along obligator routes.
“The KTC provides late night trips, service to remote routes and also transports students of various schools across Goa,” said Almeida.
He informed that the KTC would soon have around 50 electric vehicles in its fleet.
“We plan that KTC will have charging points in almost all towns for its buses, which will also be provided to people who buy electric bikes, rickshaws, cars or vehicles. We have already sent this proposal to the Central government and we expect a sanction order for the same shortly,” said Almeida. Responding to complaints that KTC buses were sometimes not available in the mornings and afternoons, Almeida said: “KTS provides buses to schools to transport students and this is the basic reason why there are no buses in the morning and afternoon.”
“Besides, there are bad roads which cause delays in buses. We will soon have more buses within three months and then, the frequency between buses will improve,” said Almeida.
KTC MD Venancio Furtado said the KTC would soon get 100 new buses added to its fleet. “The tender to procure 100 new buses which include sleeper, shuttle and luxury buses has been opened and these buses will be added to our fleet soon.”
“Besides Vasco, work on the bus stands in Margao, Mapusa, Bicholim and Sakhali will be taken up and this will help KTC to cater to almost all locations,” said Furtado. KTCL Director Shivdas Shirodkar was hopeful that the electric buses of KTC would be launched by Gudi Padva.
“We will connect these electric buses between important cities and some long distance trips. We have 16 bus stands presently which will have charging points for these buses”, said Shirodkar.
