CTU diverts 4 AC buses to airport in Mohali

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 20

On seeing problems being faced by commuters in reaching the new terminal of the Chandigarh International Airport, the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) today diverted four AC buses from the Inter-state Bus Terminal 17/43 to the airport in Mohali.

Transport Director Amit Talwar said after consultation with the airport authorities, the bus service at an interval of 35 minutes has been started between the ISBT 17/ 43 and the airport. The total travel time between the bus stand and the airport would be one hour and 10 minutes. The bus fare would vary between Rs 25 and Rs 40, depending upon the travel distance. En route to the airport, the buses will touch different sectoral points.

On the other hand, the commuters today complained about being overcharged by taxi operators. As many as three taxi services are serving form the new terminal located at Jheourheri village, Mohali. The local cab service, which is limited to Mohali only, is charging Rs 300 to Rs 400 while another private taxi operator is charging Rs 600 for dropping facility anywhere in the tricity. The third taxi operator is charging Rs 23 per km, for the dropping facility, extended to anywhere in the tricity.

Earlier, the prices to commute within the tricity were almost half of the current prices. Also, the auto-rickshaws are charging around Rs 300 from the ISBT, Chandigarh, to the new terminal.

“Earlier, it was easy and cheap to commute from the old terminal to the tricity. However, now it’s become expensive and difficult. Since there is lack of public transport facility, the taxi operators are charging hefty amount for the dropping facility within the tricity” stated Purnima Manchanda, a commuter.

“The authorities should have conducted a dry run to observe the options for the passengers in order to keep them well connected within the tricity. Now, with a fewer options in hand, the operators are asking for more money. The situation will get worse after international flights begin operating” raised Pritul Joshi, a commuter.