Staff Reporter
Panaji
After months of planning and public consultation, Panaji is finally set to get a revamped public transportation system with the transport department issuing the final notification for the launch of the city bus service on April 1.
The new integrated service will be operated by Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) in collaboration with Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) under the Smart City initiative.
A key aspect of this transformation is that the KTCL will take over routes previously serviced by private bus operators, thus establishing itself as the exclusive operator across major corridors.
The approved plan covers routes connecting the Panaji bus stand to areas like Miramar, Dona Paula, Caranzalem, Bambolim, Goa University, Cujira, Taleigao, St. Inez, St. Cruz and Altinho.
The service has been designed to provide an efficient, adequate, economical and well-coordinated road transport service for commuters in the capital city region. It will feature a mix of luxury, semi-luxury, electric, and specialised electric buggy buses to cater to varying passenger needs and demands.
Commuters can expect limited stops and direct connectivity between key residential and commercial hubs, aiming to offer a public transport experience comparable to private vehicles.
At its maximum operational capacity, the fleet will consist of 60 buses, including diesel mini buses with 30 seats, electric big buses with 49 seats, electric mini buses with 26 seats, electric micro buses with 14 seats and compact electric buggies with 11 seats for non-motorised roads. To ensure optimal service levels, a minimum of 44 buses will be deployed to operate over 500 daily trips.
Extensive planning has gone into structuring the routes and schedules based on commuter traffic patterns and density across the region. The service will operate on seven colour-coded routes, with daily trip frequencies ranging from 57 to 108 trips per route during operational hours.
In a bid to make the service affordable for all sections of the society, the bus fare has been set at Rs 10 and Rs 20. However, these rates are subject to revision by IPSCDL and KTCL as deemed necessary in the future.
The final notification comes after the transport department reviewed objections and suggestions from public on the originally proposed scheme, which was published in the official gazette on December 28, 2023.
While the new city bus service is being hailed as a major upgrade, the move has ruffled feathers amongst private bus operators whose routes will be taken over.
Reacting to the notification, Sudesh Kalangutkar, president of the Private Stage Carriage Bus Owners’ Association, said they will soon convene a meeting of members to decide their future course of action.
Kalangutkar also denied proposals from authorities to operate private buses under the ‘Maji Bus’ scheme or for ferrying school children.
With this transformative initiative finally coming to fruition, the capital city region is gearing up for a significant boost in urban mobility and connectivity.