Faced with revenue losses since the introduction of swanky AC and non-AC low floor buses on Munshipulia-Alambagh route,the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has diverted them to a different route from Saturday. After plying for one day,UPSRTC claims of making a profit of Rs 1,500. A recent survey conducted by UPSRTC had stated that route number 33 (Engineering college to Airport) will be more profitable. The buses are also easily accessible for commuters with increased frequency and commuters are ready to pay the fare as well, said Ajit Singh,Assistant Regional Manager,Lucknow Mahanagar Parivahan Sewa,a division of the UPSRTC. Our commuters also include passengers plying till Amausi airport as we have scheduled our buses according to the flight timings as well, Singh added. The survey had found that factors,including lesser frequency of buses,unavailability of buses,fare and low turnout of passengers were main reasons behind poor revenue generation. The authorities are planning to purchase more 15 AC and 70 non-AC low floor buses. But they will have to wait till the elections are over. These buses have been proposed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission scheme, Singh said.
