MBMC apathy deflates bus services

BHAYANDAR: For, people living in the twin-city, an efficient public transport system continues to remain a distant dream. While the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) boasts of 1,500 crore budget, bus services operated by its own transport authority goes from bad to worse each passing day. With the latest addition of air-conditioned Volvo’s, the number of buses with the public transport authority has gone up to 58, however not more than 30 buses are plying on roads. While most of the buses from the 3-year-old fleet are crying for repairs, replacement of damaged parts, some have been grounded owing to non-availability of new tyres, a couple of others gradually being reduced to junk at makeshift depots.” The worst affected are people living in the coastal villages in and around Uttan who are totally dependent on bus services operated by the civic administration.” said municipal corporatorSharmila Bagaji who along with a delegation met civic chief - Balaji Khatgaokar demanding efficient bus services and other basic facilities for commuters. “The process of handing over the transport utility to a private operator is in its final stages. We are awaiting a nod from the Pune-based Central Institute of Road Transport.” said an officer. Presently, the MBMC which shoulders the responsibility of running the buses on the virtue of contractual staff including drivers, conductors, and ticket checkers. Consequently the transport authority is burdened with losses amounting Rs. 70 lakh per month which translates into cumulative annual losses of Rs.8.40 crore.