It has been noticed that the e-buses introduced in the capital city of Panaji under the Smart City mission have been running almost empty, with hardly two or three passengers except during peak hours such as early in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. While the introduction of e-buses is a good idea, it would still be suggested that this service along all routes in Panaji be made efficient, ensuring the judicious use of the finances, which are essentially taxpayers’ money.
Prudent use of buses to cater to rush hours should involve running more e-buses during peak hours, while during lean periods, the frequency of buses should be fewer. It should also be borne in mind that running these e-buses almost empty will lead to financial losses as well as depreciation of these buses due to more frequent trips. Additionally, the city roads, which are dotted with potholes, will greatly affect the suspension of these buses, potentially leading to their premature decommissioning.
