GSRTC to launch online ticket booking

The state owned Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) is planning to provide online ticket booking services in the coming months. The 1,000 crore corporation recently received funds from government to purchase 1,100 buses.

GSRTC is also planning to connect its 16 divisional offices and 50 depots. It has 132 major depots in all. The corporation has already ordered the required computer hardware and the software is under testing.

"We will synchronise our operations such as accounting and stores by connecting our divisional offices. Implementation of technology will enable us launch online ticket bookings just like Indian Railways. Customers will be able to book tickets and find timetable online. By being techno savvy we will give tough competition to private bus operators," said G S Aloria, vice chairman and managing director of GSRTC.

The corporation is considering to avail services of Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN) or private service provider.

"We aim at connecting all our depots by the end of this year," said Aloria.

The corporation expects that the latest developments will not only provide better services to passengers but also boost the confidence to employees.

"Employees of GSRTC were under the impression that the corporation will be privatised and some of employees will be sacked but new measures have boosted their confidence in the organisation.," said Aloria.

GSRTC to start CNG buses for intercity routes
Gujarat State Road Transportation Corporation is plans to start new buses for intercity routes. It may be mentioned here that the state government has granted Rs 137 crore to GSRTC to purchase 1,100 new buses including 1,000 diesel and 100 CNG buses.

"We will launch these buses on newly developed express highways and inter city routes. CNG and new diesel buses will enable us to reduce our operation costs significantly. At the same time, buses built with all contemporary facilities such as television and audio system will attract passengers to use our services over the private operators' services," said G R Aloria, vice chairman and managing director of GSRTC.

"CNG operated buses will be deployed in periphery of 250 km as CNG filling station network is not completely developed," added Aloria.

CNG buses will be operated on routes such as Ahmedabad to Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Mahesana and important stations in Kutch and Saurashtra to reduce cost per km.

"We will launch new diesel buses on express highway where buses have to be prepared to run faster. We have commissioned one CNG filling station in association with Bharat Petroleum and planning one more at Ahmedabad.

"We are in negotiation with Gail Ltd for new CNG station and may prefer to increase filling stations if require," said Aloria.