1.15 lakh travelling in Aapli Bus every day

Nagpur: Even after the Phase-I Metro train routes became operational on December 11, the number of passengers travelling in Aapli Bus fleet is hovering between 1.10 lakh and 1.16 lakh. This points to the fact that Aapli Bus remains a preferred mode of affordable public transport for Nagpurians.
Data obtained from NMC’s transport department revealed that passengers travelling in 360-odd Aapli Buses on December 12 was 1.16 lakh. The revenue from the sale of ticket crossed Rs26.92 lakh.
A senior official from NMC’s transport department said that the passenger count in Aapli Bus is steadily moving northward. Citing an example, on November 24, the total passenger count was 1.03 lakh. Through the sale of tickets, NMC generated revenue of Rs23.50 lakh.
On Monday, the passenger count in Aapli Bus exceeded this count by almost 13,000. At present, apart from increase in passenger count, NMC’s earning per km (EPKM) per bus is around Rs38.44.
Of the six depots, the highest revenue wise EPKM was recorded by Patwardhan Ground depot. By operating 112 buses, this depot generated Rs12.89 lakh revenue, which comes to EPKM of Rs60.65. The lowest EPKM of Rs22.50 was registered by Tejaswani Depot, which operates six e-buses.
NMC is operating 360-odd Aapli Bus fleet through three red bus and two electric bus operators. To run these buses, the per km expenditure for NMC to operate 180 standard bus fleet comes to around Rs74.34, 150 midi-buses cost Rs68.27 per km, 45 mini-buses cost Rs53.10, while cost is Rs47.39 per km for the six electric Tejaswani buses, and Rs66.33 per km for the 40 Evey electric buses.
In the near future, NMC’s expenditure on city bus operations is set to reduce as it will replace all diesel buses with e-buses, said municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B.
The civic chief, who on Tuesday gave three-month extension to Aapli Bus programme manager Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Ltd, told TOI that in the coming days NMC will go for route rationalization. “Buses will be deployed on lucrative routes only. NMC’s main thrust will be passenger comfort,” he said.
“So, in near future, apart from replacing all standard diesel buses with air-conditioned e-buses, NMC will provide real-time information regarding city bus service to Aapli Bus passengers,” he said.
Apart from this, NMC has roped in a project management consultant, who is working and preparing a request for proposal for new Integrated Bus Transport Management (IBTM) Operator, which will replace DIMTS.