By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government has already submitted the utilization certificate of the fifty SPTS buses which are currently operating in the city and now the requisition process is on for the third installment of the buses, which would be launched soon.
Speaking to The Shillong Times here, Urban Affairs Principal Secretary P Naik said, “Utilization certificate has already been submitted and we are waiting for the requisition for the third installment.”
It may be mentioned that initially 40 buses were released in the first installment while ten buses were released under the second installment.
Under the third and final installment the remaining 70 buses will be released which is expected to further boost public transport system in the city.
Naik also informed that apart from the 120 buses, more buses would be procured if there is a need.
The State Government launched the SPTS buses in July this year and the same has been well received by the public.
The Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC), which was given the responsibility to operate the buses, has done quite well so far, Naik said.
“The MTC is running the buses with profit,” Naik said.
MTC was given the charge to operate the buses for a period of three months which expired on October 22, the official informed, adding that a meeting will take place shortly to review MTC’s performance.
Reacting to a query about the equipments which are proposed to be installed in the buses, Naik said that the equipments would be installed within this month.
The new equipments proposed to be installed in the buses include GPS navigation system, CCTV cameras and facilities for use of smart tickets.