Govt launches shared school bus system

SHILLONG, Jan 11: Measures are apparently afoot to decongest the roads of Shillong, a major challenge for the authorities.
The state government launched buses as part of the shared school bus system of STEMS (State Transport and Efficient Mobility Society) here on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who took a short drive with school students after flagging off the buses, said the move aims to create a mode shift in travel from private four-wheelers to school buses.
Expressing confidence that the buses will ease the traffic jam issues to a great extent, the Chief Minister said 30 buses were procured for the pilot project.
“We expect to add more buses to this shared school bus system in the future and reduce congestion in Shillong as we move forward,” he said.
For the safety of the school students, digital infrastructure such as real-time bus tracking, cameras, and assistance from school authorities while crossing the roads to access the school buses will be provided.
Expressing concern over the estimates that vehicles will double in Shillong in the next 5-7 years, Sangma said the government has plans to augment walking facilities.
“The government has planned a skywalk, which would be constructed from Barik to Police Bazar. A DPR has been prepared too,” he said.
The Chief Minister also launched the prime tourism vehicles through which the government is providing financial assistance to tourism entrepreneurs of the state for the purchase of premium tourist vehicles.
“This is the start of promoting high-value tourism entrepreneurship in our state and with time, more assistance will be provided to enhance the tourism entrepreneurship ecosystem,” he said.
In addition, the state government also released the agriculture response vehicles which give farmers and farmers’ groups access to vehicles at subsidised rates to transport their agricultural produce.