City bus service launched
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 09 2023:
Transport Minister Khashim Vashum today launched Manipur State Transports City Bus Service and Students' Bus Service.
The Students' Bus Service, a dedicated bus service for students, will charge minimum fare.
The bus service will cover Imphal-Kakching Lamkhai; Imphal- Moirang; Imphal-Lamlai; Imphal-Sekmai & Imphal-Mayang Imphal routes.
On the other hand, the MST City Bus Service will cover the following routes--Imphal-Sekmai; Imphal-Lamlai; Imphal-Yairipok; Imphal-Kakching; Imphal-Leishangthem & Imphal-Bishnupur.
The MST City Bus Service and the Students' Bus Service were launched by the Transport Minister at MST Complex at Moirangkhom, Imphal.
At the event, the Transport Minister said the bus services were launched for the welfare of the people and student community.
The services are being launched on a trial basis and the people and students should avail the benefits of these services, he said.
He also advised the drivers to drive safely and abide by the rules of transports/traffic.
Transport is an important sector, however the budget allotted this year is limited.
Efforts will be put in to increase the annual budget in the future, Khashim Vashum said.
He added that steps have been taken up to release the pending salaries of the MST staff and drivers.
If the MST staff put in sincere effort and when the passenger services become successful, the staff may be absorbed by the Transport Department, the Minister said.
Khashim Vashum noted that the MST staff including the drivers contributed immensely during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current crisis [ethnic conflict since May 3] .
Any grievances of the drivers and handymen of the MST/Transport will be addressed swiftly, he said.
Education (S) Director L Nandakumar, who attended the programme said the bus service launched today will prove beneficial to the students who have been affected by the current crisis.
Transport Director Nivedita Lairenlakpam said while the Government does allot some funds for procuring buses, the MST is run with the money earned from the services it provides.
At present, MST has 33 buses.
During the height of the current tension, MST drivers and conductors provided selfless service in transporting displaced people, she said.