Punjab govt to introduce new buses

The Punjab government is set to revamp its bus service by introducing new buses in phases, replacing the fleet of 778 old ones.

The government will also upgrade bus stands, which will have electronic ticketing machines.

It is also planning to set up a world class driver training school spread over 25 acres, for which land has already been acquired by the government.

In an interview to Business Standard, Transport Minister Mohal Lal said, "At present, the state has 778 roadways buses which are 7-10 years old. We are incurring losses of Rs 72 crore a year because of these old fleet."

In 2005-06, against a target of Rs 335.50 crore, the department managed to earn only Rs 240.62 crore.

Also, there were plans to induct 700 new buses in the fleet but it could not materialise. However, in 2006-07, the minister said, "Against the target of Rs 445.12 crore, we are expecting to touch Rs 312.91 crore."

"So we are planning to replace these old buses in phases within 3 years," he said.

The induction of 300 new buses will cost the state exchequer about Rs 45 crore. The department had already placed orders for 250 new buses with Ashok Leyland.