HRTC wants govt to reimburse ‘freebies’

The HRTC may introduce e-ticketing by next month,the modalities for which have already been finalised.

HRTC’s managing director Sumesh Goel,an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-rank officer,said he had set out a six-month target to turn the corporation into a profit-making venture,with focus on improvement in travel facilities and road safety aspects. “The revenue earnings during the current year have already shown a significant rise of a few crores,” he claimed.

In December,the corporation had submitted a proposal for a nearly 20 per cent hike in the bus fares to offset the growing operational costs,resulted by hike in prices of diesel and lubricants. The bus fares were increased two years ago,but were later slashed by 10 per cent in the 2009-10 Budget.

Goel admitted that one of the reasons that plunged the HRTC into losses was the “freebies” — there are at least two dozen categories of free travellers,including students,physically challenged,journalists and ex-servicemen. “We have no problem in continuing with the service but want the state government to help us make up for the revenue gap through certain mechanism,” he said.

The HRTC claims to be especially focussing on road safety to minimise fatal accidents. Goel said new technologies like anti-lock breaking system would be in place soon to make travelling safe. The corporation is planning to run more high-end services like Volvo buses within and outside the state. Nearly 20 new buses have been added to the fleet and a new Volvo service between Dharamshala and Manali will start within the next few days. Tour and travel operators will be authorised to make bulk bookings on commission basis and also do marketing for the HRTC.