Goa has become an accident hotspot, with incidents occurring every day that often lead to injuries or fatalities. The Chief Minister acknowledged this during the 44th anniversary of the Kadamba Transport Corporation, which coincided with the Dussehra festival. Goa is famous for its tourism, scenic beauty, and greenery, but this reputation is suffering due to frequent road accidents caused by reckless and negligent driving, whether in private vehicles or rented cabs and bikes.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister urged citizens to use public bus services to reduce bike accidents and prevent loss of life and injury. However, improvements are needed in Goa’s bus services. Buses often do not arrive on time, leading many people to rely on their own vehicles. The number of vehicles on the road is almost equal to the state’s population. Most households own two-wheelers, and some even have both four-wheelers and two-wheelers, indicating that many citizens do not want to depend on public transport. The Bal Rath service has been beneficial for village students, helping them get to school. Schools are encouraged to manage this service with the funds allocated to them. In Vasco, morning buses are crowded with tourists and people from other states arriving by train. The daily Yeshwantpur to Vasco train brings many tourists to Goa. While some opt for rented cabs, many choose the bus because it is cheaper.
Trains arrive early in the morning, and if they are delayed, there is a queue at the shuttle service where students, office workers, and tourists wait for buses to Panaji. However, there are not enough buses to accommodate this crowd, forcing many to wait for the next bus to reach their offices and colleges on time. The transport department should increase the number of buses during peak hours, especially in the morning, to meet the demand. Additionally, introducing more electric vehicles (EVs) in the state could encourage people to rely on public transport.
