Faster government buses to boost transport dept revenue

The debt-ridden transport corporations despite offering ticket rates affordable to all sections could not attract passengers much as they prefer to pay some additional money to travel in private buses that reach the destination faster and because of the comfort level in them.

The pilot project would ensure that the government buses reached their respective destinations faster as against the present average speed of 65 kmph (for long distance). After the implementation of the project, the TNSTC drivers, especially those attached to Villupuram and Kumbakonam divisions, would be allowed ply at a speed of up to 80 kmph, said sources.

On the feasibility aspect, sources said that the fuel expenditure and revenue generated would be checked and a final decision would be taken to regularise the project.

Transport Secretary J Radhakrishnan said, “I have travelled in government buses in Chennai and found that some buses commute passengers with lesser than minimum occupancy.”

Though meetings have been held with transport corporation MDs, sources said, “For the situation to change, the MDs’ mindsets fixed on lowering fuel consumption has to change. This is a throwback to the days when the then transport minister KN Nehru during the DMK regime fixed a speed limit for the government buses to conserve fuel,” an official seeking anonymity said.

The officials pointed out the defunct speedometers in government buses should be turned into working order for the project to be successful.

According to the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) four and six lane highways, the vehicles need to travel faster to conserve fuel and prevent engine wear and tear and reduce driver fatigue. However, the government transport officials continue to think that a 130-km trip should last three hours or more when NHAI itself advocates only 2 hours travel time.

While government buses take four hours to cover a distance of 140 km, private buses complete the same trip in three hour twenty minutes.