‘106 SPTS buses to be reconditioned for service’

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Urban Affairs Department has made an assessment that 106 SPTS buses out of the 120 buses allotted to the State earlier can be repaired.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Addl. Chief Secretary, Urban Affairs, P. Naik, said that 74 buses were operating at the moment while other buses will be pressed into service in a phased manner after necessary repairs.
However, 14 buses which are not in condition to be repaired would be condemned.
Naik further informed that Meghalaya is all set to get 50 buses in a couple of weeks out of the 240 new buses sanctioned for the state.
“Once the new buses become operational frequency will be increased in some areas where demand is more while some new areas will also be added in the route.
Naik, meanwhile, informed that passengers have reacted positively to the initiative of tokens introduced in the SPTS buses to overcome the problem of shortage of coins.
Naik informed that apart from the Secretariat and the MUDA office, people can collect tokens from Pariat Store in Motphran, Yogamaya Enterprise in Police Bazar, ASL General Store in Mawlai Nonglum, New World Stationary in Rynjah and D. Enterprise in NEIGRIHMS.
He added that the initiative of tokens would be extended for SSPTS buses and maxi cabs.
“Our idea is to ensure that people get these tokens in their localities itself,” he said.