By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a bid to streamline the operation of the Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses, the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has decided to operate them by itself.
Informing this to The Shillong Times recently, the MUDA secretary T Lyngwa said the MUDA would start its new venture from February 1.
“The decision was taken to streamline and improve the services,” Lyngwa said.
50 buses were handed over to MTC by MUDA in 2011 and soon the new public transport system became a huge hit in the city. However, problems surfaced soon after, as complains of poor maintenance, non issuance of tickets, over congestion etc. made news.
“Even though 50 buses were given to the MTC, only 21 are operating in the city till date while other buses lie in a state of disrepair,” MUDA sources informed.
The MUDA is now planning to operate the old buses under the PPP mode as is being done in the case of the new ones being operated by a self help group.
At present MUDA is operating 50 SPTS buses and 20 more buses are being run by the agency which is catering to the need of students and office goers.
More than a hundred maxi taxis, which usually operate in areas not covered by the buses, are also operational in the city.