By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government has set a tentative deadline of July 15 to start the JNNURM bus service in the city.
Disclosing this after a high-level meeting of the Urban Affairs, Transport and Home departments which was also attended by senior police officials on Tuesday, Transport Minister AT Mondal said, “The buses are a long pending demand and they will certainly provide a great relief to the commuters.”
The meeting also deliberated on the routes and bus fares besides other services to be provided to the commuters.
In the initial stage, the 50 buses would operate from and to areas like 7th Mile, 3rd Mile, NEIGRIHMS, Umsning, Smit and others.
Mondal said once the remaining 70 buses arrive, the routes would be revised depending on the volume of traffic and public demand.
The timings of the bus service has been fixed from 6.30 am till 8 pm initially which would be subsequently streamlined depending on the needs, Mondal said, adding that ticketing system would be in place in all the buses.
“We will work out the bus fares and begin recruitment for drivers and conductors shortly,” Mondal added.
The State Government has also decided to initiate smart cards system on the lines of the Metro rail service in New Delhi where passengers recharge their card once and travel in the trains for a fixed period. It was also announced that concession would be made on fares for students and senior citizens.
Reacting to a query on the recent theft attempts on the buses, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “Security has been reinforced at the bay where the buses will be parked.”
To another query, Mondal said presently local taxi permits were not being issued. “We will work out things in such a way that there will be no traffic,” Mondal added.