Why the fare of JnNURM buses is higher in state ?
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 07 2012: The fare for traveling in the semi-low floor buses provided to Manipur under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) is higher in comparison to the fare charged in other states like Assam.

On the other hand, public have expressed their desire for increasing the number of semi-low floor buses plying on the roads and cutting down the fare rate.

In all 25 buses have been sanctioned to Manipur under JnNURM but only 14 buses have arrived so far.

The remaining 11 buses are to be provided only after furnishing the utilization certificates of the buses already in state.

However, release of the remaining buses has remained pending as the required utilization certificates could not be provided.

After many years of remaining stationed at the MSRTC complex at Moirangkhom, the service of two buses, out of the 14 provided, started on trial basis from Keishampat Bridge to Chingmeirong via Paona and Thangal Bazar around few months back.

At that time the fare charged from each passenger was Rs 5 only.

Later on more buses were inducted and the routes diversified in three different directions.

Accordingly, the rate has also been revised.

The first route starts from Canchipur in front of MU and ends at Koirengei after covering stop points like Temple of Learning, Kakwa; Mayengbam Leikai, Waikhom Leikai, Singjamei, Yumnam Leikai, Moirangkhom, Telephone Bhawan, Nupi Lan complex, M-Sector, PWD, DM College, Chingmeirong, Gauhati High Court, Mantripukhri, Khabam Lamkhai, Liberal College and Manipur Public School.

The second route starts from Malom and ends at Khurai amlong with Malom Bazar, Airport, Herbet School, Kwakeithel, Keishampat, Electricity office, M-Sector, PWD, DM College, MMTA crossing, Khurai Lamlong, Salanthong, Chairenthong, etc as stop points.

On the other hand, the third route which extends from DM office, Imphal West to DC office, Imphal East with main stop points as Naoremthong, NG College, Uripok, Gambhir Singh shopping complec, Kangla, Nityapat Chuthek, Sanjenthong, Palace Compound, Checkon, Ananda High Academy and Porompat.

Any individual who boards any of these buses, regardless of the distance being travelled, are being charged Rs 10.However, in states like Assam, a passenger travelling a distance within 7 kms is charged Rs 3 and Rs 6 if the distance travelled is more than 7 kms.

Interestingly, the cost of diesel used for the service of these semi-low floor buses is comparative cheaper here in Manipur than in Assam.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, a woman passenger at the Canchipur bus stop, who was waiting the bus to go to Khwairamband Market, said that even though the semi-low floor buses are comfortable for travelling, one has to wait for long.

So, it would be better if the number of buses could be increased.

"There are instances where I could not afford to more time in waiting for the bus and then hiring an autorickshaw to go to the market", the woman passenger disclosed.

"Moreover, Rs 10 being charged whether I travel upto Khwairamband market or beyond is unreasonable", the woman passenger added.

On condition of anonymity, a man who is in the service of operation of semi-low floor buses, informed that around 4 buses are bring pressed into service in each route, which are being operated under the overall supervision of UMTA and Transport Department.

The drivers and conductors are appointed on contract basis.

The bus services have been introduced on trial basis for one month.

So, a meeting of UMTA is likely to be convened soon to discussion extension of the services.

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