Bhubaneswar: Overcoming the burden of overstaffing and incurring losses for the last several years, Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) finally seems to be on path of revival and self-sufficiency. The corporation has decided to procure 70 new buses and push them into operation soon.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by chief secretary AP Padhi here Tuesday wherein ORSTC MD Sudhansu Sadangi presented the updates and revival plan.
In the first phase the corporation will procure around 70 AC (air conditioned) and non-AC buses at an investment of `33 crore.
The corporation will spend around `13 crore from its own resources while government will provide `20 crore as capital support through the department of commerce and transport, sources said.
Padhi directed the corporation to adopt professional methods in management and operation to ensure profit. He also directed the corporation officials to keep a close eye on quality of the new buses so that they provide adequate security and comfort to passengers.
Speaking about the revival, Sadangi said, “The corporation has computerised all its accounts. E-ticketing machines have been installed and manual ticketing has been abolished. Internet and mobile ticketing have been introduced. As of now, 60 per cent of the tickets are being booked through online system in advance. This has curtailed leakages.”
The system of Bhuan for collection of entry fee to Badambadi bus stand in Cuttack has been removed and a new system of fees collection through smart cards and boom barriers has been made functional, he said.
The corporation plans to start premium bus service (Volvo) from October 25. One bus–one staff policy will be adopted for all future buses.
The corporation has successfully downsized bus and staff ratio to the lowest level in comparison to road transport corporations of other states, Sarangi said.
The ratio has been reduced to three in 2015-16 in contrast to the ratio of 9+ in 1993-94. The operating cost per km has also been reduced to `26.41 against the all India average of `34.30.
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