Govt apathy hits bus project

In fact, the government had asked the SMC to run the city bus service as the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, reeling under a loss of Rs 38 lakh per month, was unable to expand or provide efficient service.

And in the absence of an efficient mass transport system, the number of two and three wheelers had gone up, leading to traffic congestion and vehicular pollution.

However, then municipal commissioner S R Rao had turned down the offer reportedly saying, 8220;running the city bus service was not the civic body8217;s responsibility. Moreover, the experience of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which runs city bus service, is anything but encouraging,8221; he had stated.

But, when asked to explore the possibility, he had commissioned three experts Dr N C Shah, Dr B K Katti and K A Chauhan 8212; from the SVR College of Engineering 8212; to prepare a feasibility report. The report was then submitted to the additional chief secretary transport, Gandhinagar on October 1, 1997.

The report had pointed had that privatisation was the only preferable option to reduce financial losses of GSRTC, traffic problems, air-pollution. Privatisation is feasible in Surat because private operators have sufficient resources in terms of bus fleet, man power, finance and management and they are willing to undertake city bus service, it had said.

The experts had also suggested that a city-level Surat Urban Transport Authority be formed to regulate the city bus operation. As incentive, private operators should be allowed to generate income from advertisement on the buses, it had recommended.

Taking cue from other cities, the experts had also suggested three types of service 8211; low fare ordinary bus, high fare deluxe bus and limited express bus. At the city level, the bus fleet should be augmented considerably, experts had recommended.

The report, observing that the present bus transit system could meet only three to five per cent of the total demand, had underlined the need to upgrade facilities so as to be able to meet at least 25 to 30 per cent of the total demand. It had also said that at least 200 additional standard and mini size city buses would be required, which would call for a minimum investment of Rs 2000 lakh.

The report had also claimed that private operators had shown interest and people would not mind paying a bit more for better and efficient services. Experts had also suggested that the GSRTC may retain ownership of some of the buses and lease it to the contractor.

When contacted, Director of Planning R D Desai, told Express Newsline that the SMC had not received any communication from the government. He said the SMC had hired experts to prepare the report because 8220;we were asked to do so.8221; Desai, though feels that privatisation is the answer to all problems, says the SMC should think of taking up the responsibility only after it is able to provide basic amenities to all.

Privatisation could be the answer, but at present the answer lies in the 35-page report, gathering dust in the secretariat.