Challenges galore for Ggn city bus service

Gurugram: After a delay of more than six months, the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is all set to introduce a fleet of buses to improve connectivity in Gurugram. However, there are many challenges for the city bus serivce named Gurugraman. There is a widespread scepticism that the city bus service may follow the Haryana Roadways, which is running under the loss of over Rs 600 crore.

Because of their low fares, diesel autos and local bus services are still popular in the city. Taking note of the challenges, GMDA officials are ensuring that there is no let-down as far as the services are concerned. Not only are the ticketing facilities digitised but also there would be a customer service attendant in the buses to assist the customers.

A survey conducted by the GMDA had revealed that 75 per cent of the respondents mentioned that they would like to commute through public transport system while 25 per cent of the respondents highlighted that they were more comfortable using their personal vehicles. One of the major issues raised for not using the public buses is overcrowding and lack of proper schedule.

In order to improve the public transportation system in Gurugram, there are plans to introduce around 500 buses in the city. Though these buses were slated to be introduced in March this year, the deadline has been extended to August. An agreement letter has been signed between GMDA and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) to increase the number of buses in the city.

The buses that will be introduced will include air-conditioned as well as non-air-conditioned buses. Presently, there are around fifty Haryana Roadways buses that are operational in the city.

Not only are the services of buses in the city inadequate but also poor maintenance of the buses and frequent halting at non-designated spots cause inconvenience to the commuters.

Preparations have begun by GMDA officials to find bus depots where the buses will be parked. Four bus depots have been chosen for this purpose. The areas being considered as bus depots for parking of the buses are 13.5 acres in Kadipur, 4.6 acres in Sector 53, 12 acres in Sector 33 and three acres near Central Mall at MG road.