Month on, Panipat’s city bus service gains traction

Tribune News Service

Mukesh Tandon

Panipat, March 1

The city bus service featuring electric buses launched by the Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, on January 28 here has received a good response from passengers. In the past one month, the service has generated a good revenue as well.

According to the Transport Department, the city buses are generating over Rs 55 per km on a daily basis.

Besides, 17 charging stations will be installed at the old bus stand. A tender worth Rs 7 crore has been allotted to a private company, DIIMS, in this regard.

As per the available information, five electric buses are plying between the new bus stand in Sewah and the toll plaza on NH 44. The buses cover a distance of approximately 10 km on this route.

“The move to launch the electric bus service is a welcome step. These are comfortable for the passengers and the fare is also comparatively reasonable,” said Manish, a student.

“I go to the new bus stand in Sewah to catch e-buses. I like the buses as these are comfortable and safe. Their timings also match my schedule,” said Ombir, a passenger.

However, these e-buses have left auto and e-rickshaw drivers worried.

“As many as 11,000 auto and e-rickshaws, which recently got the token number from the district traffic police, are plying on the city roads. Besides, a large number of auto and e-rickshaws are on city roads without token numbers,” said Mithlesh Kumar, alias Babloo Kashyap, district president, Auto and e-Rickshaw Union.

He said they had been planning to reduce the fare to compete with these buses and soon, a meeting will be convened to discuss the issue.

“The wait time between the two buses is 18 minutes and after the addition of more buses, it will be reduced to 10 minutes,” said Kuldeep Jangra, general manager, Panipat Depot.

“We are planning to add new routes, especially in internal city areas and their adjoining areas such as Israna, Madlauda, Sanoli, Bapoli and Gharaunda,” he added.

Navdeep Virk, Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Haryana, said the response of e-buses was good as people preferred these over auto-rickshaws.

“For the city bus service, generating a revenue of Rs 40 per km is considered very good, but we have been receiving more than Rs 55 per km. We have kept a competitive fare,” Virk added.

“In the summer, e-buses will attract more passengers. In the end of March, we are going to get more buses and the electric bus service will start in Karnal and Panchkula,” he said.

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