VMC plans to privatise city bus services

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has decided to privatise the bus service in the city managed by the state-owned Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC). The civic body has already invited the expression of interest.

"The state government has taken a decision in principle to privatise the local bus operations in all four major cities. At present, VMC has taken an initiative in that direction. According to the procedures our role comes only at a later stage when the assets transfer issue arises when new player enters," said G R Aloria, chairman and managing director, GSRTC.

At present, GSRTC is operating 50-70 buses that is inadequate for the city with population of about 15 lakh.

It is learnt that, Valbhipur Transportation Co-operative Society (VTCOS) has expressed its willingness to manage local bus services in Vadodara.

However, it will be a challenging job for the operator who ultimately gets the licence. Aloria accepted that the Vadodara is not a profit making centre.