Pathadisha app to locate state-run buses to be launched today

In a bid to let commuters know about the realtime location of state-run buses, the state Transport department will launch the "Pathadisha" app on Wednesday.

According to an officer of the Transport department, the app is unique and commuters will be helped immensely as they can easily locate the buses they are actually waiting for.

Once the app is installed in a smartphone, a person will be just a click away to know how far a bus is. Initially, one can easily check the realtime location of more than 700 air-conditioned and 'S' buses run by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC).

Suvendu Adhikari, the state Transport minister, will also be introducing a Prepaid Electronic Transport Card in WBTC-run buses and a revamped commuters' website of the Transport department.

The decision to introduce the system of keep a check on the realtime location of buses was taken soon after the Mamata Banerjee-government came to power for the second term.

There were two main reasons behind introducing the system. Firstly, to provide better bus service to commuters and secondly, to ensure that no state run-buses stop plying after covering half of the routes they are scheduled to cover. The second reason leads to harassment of commuters and also causess loss to the exchequer of the state Transport department.

The Transport department had introduced an online tracking system for buses, using which, the department officials at present keep a tab on how long a bus is taking to reach its destination after departing from a terminus.

Soon, the realtime locations of other state-run buses, trams and launches can be identified using the same mobile phone app. The Prepaid Electronic Transport Card will also be introduced in other buses, trams and waterways.

Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Principal Secretary of the Transport department, Rachpal Singh, chairman of WBTC, Swarnakamal Saha, vice-chairman of the Transport Corporation, Tamonash

Ghosh, Chairman, South Bengal State Transport Corporation, Mihir Goswami, Chairman North Bengal State Transport Corporation will be present at the programme from where the app will be launched on Wednesday.