SHILLONG: To better the efficiency of the Shillong Public Transport Service (SPTS) buses in the city, the Urban Affairs department is all set to stringently enforce the terms and conditions of the agreement signed with the operators besides setting up a control room in MUDA for round the clock monitoring of the buses through GPS tracking.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Principal Secretary, Urban Affairs, P Naik said that currently four operators are operating the buses and the routes of the vehicles have been modified to improve their efficiency.
Naik asserted that the department will make it mandatory for drivers and conductors of the buses to wear uniforms which will be issued shortly.
GPS tracking has been alien to public transport in the city so far but if one goes by the words of the Principal Secretary, Urban Affairs, Shillong may have the system in place in little over three months time.
“GPS devices would be fitted in the buses to monitor their movement,” Naik said. Out of the 120 buses which were sanctioned earlier for the State, 76 buses are operating at the moment and another 20 will be soon put into service. The State is also expecting to get an additional fleet of 120 buses in the next six months.
Meanwhile, according to Naik, there is another segment of SPTS buses which is operated by the Shillong Municipality and these buses cannot be hired. “The department will take stringent action against any bus driver who deviates from the route (for the Municipality operated buses),” he said.
“We will see a sea change in the public transport system in coming days,” Naik asserted adding that similar routes and stickers will also be made for the 106 maxi cabs operating in the city.
The Department will also setting up bus depots in different areas such as Mawblei, Mawiong, Marbisu and New Shillong Township.
