PRTC TO INDUCT BUSES WITH GPS, CCTV TODAY

PATIALA: Buses with global positioning system (GPS) to track location, close circuit television cameras (CCTVS), public information system and fuel monitoring system will be formally inducted into the fleet of the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) on Friday. Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh will flag-off the first lot of buses from Chandigarh on Friday.

PRTC managing director Manjit Singh Narang, said, “The PRTC has decided to add 100 buses, of which 25 are ready to ply on road, while the remaining buses will be added before March 15. The buses have all the modern facilities and technology. The design and interior gives a luxurious feel.”

In May, the PRTC board of directors had given its nod to add 250 new buses, including 100 owned and run by the PRTC. The remaining 150 buses were to be run under the kilometre (km) scheme. The corporation has already added 150 buses under this scheme, while replacing the same number.

“For the first time over the past decade, the PRTC is running its full fleet of 1,073 buses under its nine depots — Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Chandigarh, Patiala, Bathinda, Budhlada, Barnala, Faridkot and Sangrur,” Narang added.

“With the addition of these new buses, the corporation is inching towards achieving its daily sanctioned mileage of 3.57 lakh km,” he said. “As of now, the PRTC’S monthly receipts are calculated at Rs 41.1 crore, while its monthly expenditure is pegged at Rs 40.45 crore, including on diesel and maintenance of buses,” the MD added.