400 new luxury buses to rev up BRTS

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) will purchase 400 new luxury buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for operating in city and neighbouring areas. The Centre had approved the proposal in February this year.
Replying to a question by Nirmal Kumawat of BJP, transport minister Brij Kishor Sharma said currently 282 buses are used by RSRTC in the city and adjoining areas.The Centre has also sanctioned purchase of 35 buses for Ajmer and Pushkar, he added.
Sharma said traffic has increased manifold in recent years and people are facing problem due to inadequate number of buses. The new buses would be used for BRTS. However, spare buses, if any, would be pressed into service in Ajmer and Pushkar. The highest number of 17 buses ply from Sanganer depot to various parts of the city and adjoining areas, he added.
Sharma said a new scheme for improving transport system would be finalized soon. "Regular fitness tests are conducted on private minibuses and 2,094 have obtained fitness certificates in 2008-09. Nineteen bus owners were penalised for not obtaining fitness certificates last year."
Sharma said no concession is given to senior citizens travelling in RSRTC buses but the corporation is studying a proposal to give them concession.
The minister said the corporation has suffered a loss of Rs 602.5 crore in 2008-09. "Since inception, the corporation had profit 19 times starting 1964-65. Last time, RSRTC had profit in 1996-97."
In the modified state budget a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for concessional travel in RSRTC buses. This sum would be given to the RSRTC to reimburse for concessions. As apart of improving passenger facilities, 10 bus stands in the state have been identified for building Sulabh complex in it. The state government is considering a proposal to allow free travel by women on Raksha Bandhan day.