Steps to ensure better facilities helps augment WBSTC’s earnings

The recent steps taken by the Transport department to ensure better facilities of commuters has helped to increase the earnings of the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBSTC).

WBSTC was formed by integrating Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC). 

In reply to a question in Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, the state Transport minister, said ticket vending machines have been installed at different locations. At the same time number of man-power actually required to ply a bus was assessed and steps were taken accordingly. Earlier, 11 persons were engaged to run a bus whereas now only 5 people get engaged for the same job.

It has helped to increase the earning by around 12 per cent. Earlier, the average earning used to be Rs 26.32 lakh and now it has gone up to Rs 29.46 lakh. He said: “Ticket vending machines would also be installed in North Bengal early next year.”

He further said that the aim of the department is to improve the earning. The department had taken a loan of Rs 132.75 crore. No loan was taken for the department after the change of the guard in the state. “We are trying to clear the loan amount and its interest. 

At the same time we are trying to increase the earnings so that the corporations could function in a much better way,” Adhikari said adding that 870 new buses were bought. At present, there are total 2,600 buses which are run by the state government. He further said that toll free numbers and apps were introduced to help commuters.