Latest news with #MhajiBusScheme
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
CM mulls 50% fare concession for women in private sector
Goa CM Pramod Sawant Bicholim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that state govt is considering a 50% bus fare concession to women employed in the private sector in Goa. He said that the move is meant to cut down the expenditure on travel made by women, to encourage them to take up jobs in the private sector. Sawant relaunched the Mhaji Bus Scheme and fuel and insurance subsidy drive in Bicholim and Sattari talukas, a Rs 3/km operational subsidy, and a Rs 10 lakh one-time grant to private bus owners to replace old buses. Sawant said that with this aid of Rs 3/km, if a bus runs up to 200km per day under the scheme, the bus owner would be able to earn an average income of Rs 2.20 lakh per month. The CM said that bus operators would also get 50% of their insurance premium reimbursed, free ticketing machines, and KTCL smart card support. Some swipe machines were handed over to bus owners on Saturday. Sawant said that the card provided by KTC authorities can be also used in buses running under scheme, which will help bus owners earn more profit. Besides this, a real-time bus tracking app, 'Bus On The Go', will be introduced, he said. 'Goa will be the first state in the nation to digitalise bus services with the help of a novel technology under the scheme,' said Sawant. He also said that private buses would also be extended govt ad revenue and branding support. 'This is a big step towards modern, inclusive, and self-reliant public transport in Goa,' said Sawant. At the programme at Sanquelim, Sawant distributed approval letters of 50% of the pending arrears for diesel to bus owners, and promised to release the balance 50% payment in two months. Sawant also asked bus operators not to overtake other buses in a bid to get the more passengers in. He said that if a bus operator is seen regularly running on a route, govt may even take a KTC bus off the route. The CM said that the idea behind improving public transport is to reduce the movement of private vehicles, which will ultimately help reduce accidents.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Mhaji Bus Scheme revamped, but sops aggrieve pvt operators
Panaji: Goa govt has relaunched the Mhaji Bus Scheme with some changes. To be implemented by the directorate of transport and Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), the scheme offers several forms of support to bus operators. But on Friday, private bus operators voiced their displeasure at being excluded from the decision-making process. The approximately 1,120 bus operators in the state are planning to meet on Sunday to discuss their grievances and prepare a list of demands they want included in the Mhaji Bus Scheme. As of now, the revised incentives include a subsidy per kilometre, wherein bus operators will receive a subsidy of Rs 3 per kilometre for every kilometre operated. There is also an insurance subsidy, wherein operators can avail themselves of a 50% reimbursement on the annual insurance premium, up to Rs 30,000. However, the president of the All Goa Stage Carriage Bus Owners' Association, Sudesh Kalangutkar, questioned the adequacy of the subsidy. 'Govt wants to frame policies for the transport sector without taking bus operators into confidence,' he said. 'Diesel rates are extreme today, how can Rs 3 per kilometre be enough for us?' The relaunched scheme offers a bus replacement option, wherein operators who need to replace buses older than 15 years will receive assistance of Rs 10 lakh to purchase a new bus with a minimum seating capacity of 27. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo But Kalangutkar said that several private buses remain off the roads, unable to resume operations after the Covid pandemic. 'Govt should first consider helping operators by bringing these buses back on the roads, rather than introducing new schemes that create more problems,' he said. He added, 'There are pending fuel subsidies worth Rs 18 crore, which govt is yet to release.' As for the spruced up scheme, operators will retain full fare revenue, with no obligation to remit any amount to KTC. The scheme outlines several operational norms, such as continuous operation, where operators must ensure their buses are in service for the entire year. In cases of maintenance or breakdown, operators are required to provide alternative buses. Operators must employ qualified conductors in uniform, who will be responsible for managing automatic ticketing machines on board. All buses must be equipped with a vehicle location tracking device to ensure real-time tracking and security. Additionally, the buses will be required to repaint their vehicles in KTC's branding scheme for better visibility. To benefit from the scheme, operators must submit an application to the managing director of KTC. Approved operators will be issued a letter of empanelment and will be required to sign an agreement with KTC. All buses will undergo regular inspections by the directorate of transport to ensure compliance. Private bus operators wishing to participate in the scheme must hold a valid stage carriage permit issued by an RTO in Goa. They must operate buses that are not older than 15 years at the time of registration and must maintain valid fitness certificates, comprehensive insurance, and proof of up-to-date road tax payments. Operators can earn 50% of the revenue generated from advertisements displayed on their buses. KTC's smart transit passes and cards will be accepted on all buses under the scheme. The amount collected through these passes will be reimbursed to operators.
