CTU makes major strides in financial performance in past year

Chandigarh: Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has been making a major turnaround in its financial performance and efficiency over the past one year. Both its local and long route buses are showing improved returns per kilometer even as its buses travel more and carry more passengers. “The route receipts for long-route buses have increased from Rs 36.84 per km in 2021 (June, July, August) to Rs 52.61/km in 2022 (June, July, August),” said Pradhuman Singh, director, transport.
“Route receipt is total earning per kilometer on a route; it shows operational income per kilometer. It takes into account the total distance covered on a route and revenue generated. It is indicative of the efficiency of a public transport system,” said a UT transport department official.

The CTU has been adding new buses to its fleet of inter-state buses. It is set to cross the 200 mark within this year with the addition of new 40 HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) buses. New routes have been added and frequency of buses has also been increased.
In addition to increasing its fleet of buses, the department is expanding inter-state routes. Recently, CTU buses on 54 new routes were launched. AC bus services to religious destinations like Khatushyamji and Salasar Dham were also included in the new launches. In 2021 (June, July and August) CTU buses on the inter-state route travelled 11,93,009 km. This increased to 14,24,305 km in 2022 (June, July and August). “Even with increased distance covered, which also translates into increased spending on fuel, revenue returns per km have increased,” said the official.
“For CTU local bus service, between financial years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 (till September), operational income has improved from Rs 20 per km to Rs 26 per km,” said Singh.
Introduction of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) is one of the main reasons which has helped the system efficiency to improve. CTU will also bring its long-distance route buses within the ambit of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS). A new dedicated project for long route buses will be started with funding from the Central government. A proposal has been finalised by the administration to seek the Center’s financial assistance.
The administration will tap into the Central government scheme for the project. It will cover the entire fleet of CTU long route buses, including more than 40 new buses which are to be added to the fleet in the coming months.
Currently, around 360 CTU buses plying on 59 routes in the tricity are being managed through ITS. The ministry of urban affairs and World Bank funded project became operational last year. After a major upgrade of its local bus service, UT transport department is now focusing on its long-route fleet.