PANAJI
The much talked of e-bus service under the ‘Smart City Mission’ catering to the capital city and its surrounding suburbs currently in its second week of operations is yet to make the splash in public transportation it promised to although these are luxurious carriers and costs are cheap.
The State-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) launched a tentative start to this service last week putting just six of the 40-odd e-buses on two of the planned seven routes.
These e-buses kick-off as early as 6.55 am from the KTCL’s Panaji bus stand and traverse a route along the river-hugging Dayanand Bandodkar Marg to the CCP market and then onward to Kala Academy, Miramar Beach, Dona Paula and further to the Goa University and the Goa Medical College in Bambolim.
On its return route, these e-bus culminate their journey back at the Panaji bus-stand but via St Cruz village.
The second route being operated under this Smart City e-bus service also commences at the KTCL bus-stand and traverses straight to the Goa Medical College via St Cruz and onward to the Goa University and Dona Paula. It then returns to Panaji bus-stand via the coastal Miramar-Panaji route.
The rather low Rs 25 ticket cost for the trip or even less depending on where you board and alight seems attractive, especially given the comfort levels and amenities available inside.
These e-buses have mobile recharge points, are air-conditioned and have high-comfort seats with even FM radio service available onboard.
Still in its initial days the service, may be publicised by the government as having the potential to revolutionise public transportation in the capital and its surrounding suburbs but it is yet to make much of a visible impact even if residents and commuters along the routes are beginning to look up and take notice.
The buses are also equipped with CCTV cameras, have fire extinguishers on board and a well-stocked first-aid kit.
