One bus every 15 minutes, MTC plans optimum utilisation of existing fleet

In a move to circumvent decreasing revenue, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) plans to divert buses that ply on city routes
to moffussil areas during non-peak hours. The suggestion was formally agreed upon at a board meeting of the corporation on Friday, sources in the department said.

According to Atulya Misra, transport department secretary, many buses
have been plying half-empty during non-peak hours, badly affecting the corporation's revenue. "So, we plan to divert buses from prominent routes to moffussil areas during non-peak hours. We can thus increase frequency of bus services on these routes and get better patronage," Misra said.

The move, Misra pointed out, was aimed at having one bus in 15 minutes on almost all routes. "If the passenger is assured of a 15-minute-frequency service, he will not have a problem depending on bus services," he said.

According to officials sources, many buses are currently allotted to prominent routes. Though the buses get over-crowded during peak hours, they run almost empty during non-peak hours.

"The service will now function on a need basis. Such routes will have more buses during office, college and school hours. The buses will then ply on routes that have lesser frequency. The diversion will help people who come to the city for shopping and other work, activity which is not scheduled," Misra said. Officials believe that the move will help get rid of complaints, of not having enough buses to remote routes. It will also help the corporation manage its fleet and put it to optimum use without spending funds on new buses in times of difficulty.

Misra said the corporation was trying its best to boost revenue. "Advertisements are a major source of income. Our AC buses are primarily operated using revenue from advertisements. However, companies are yet to consider buses as a good advertising option. There has been reasonably good response from advertisers for space at bus stops, however. "Efforts are on to attract more companies to advertise on buses," he added.

-source from THE TIMES OF INDIA