Ridership plunges as BRTS becomes paid service

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 28

The BRTS bus service witnessed over 50 per cent reduction in passengers after the Punjab Bus Metro Society (PBMS) started charging fare on Sunday. It was the first paid bus service day after passengers enjoyed free rides for three months.

However, authorities claimed that the ridership would increase on working days as they witnessed comparatively less footfall on Sundays.

Most of the seats were seen vacant in buses plying on Verka-railway station and bus stand-Golden Gate routes. The buses from the railway station to India Gate also witnessed low ridership. Drivers and other employees are worried about the sustainability of the project.

“A bus from Verka to India Gate consumes fuel worth Rs 6,500. All buses need at least Rs 2.5 lakh every day for fuel. It needs Rs 5 lakh daily income for sustainability. If people don’t opt the bus service, the government should make some efforts for its sustainability,” said a driver.

Most of the employees, especially workers at ticket windows, are hopeful that the ridership will be revived in next few days. “It is cheap and comfortable than the other modes of public transport. Its saves time as the ride is hurdle free. The buses are air-conditioned and people will defiantly prefer it in scorching summer,” said a ticket clerk.

PBMS CEO Inderjeet Singh Chawla said, “It was expected that the ridership would suffer in the first week. It will revive. Moreover, we have several offers for the students and daily passengers. Hopefully, the footfall will increase in a few days.”

It is worth mentioning here that the BRTS witnessed overwhelming response after it was re-inaugurated in January. Officials have claimed that around 80,000 passengers travel on BRTS buses daily.