City to get luxury bus service soon

A decision in this regard was taken in a meeting of officers of Transport, Traffic and other allied departments here today.

Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asgar Samoon said that the non-stop luxury bus service shall ply from SMHS hospital via Eidgah Ali Jan Road to SKIMS Soura. He said for the purpose authorities will utilize the services of a private transport operator Kahwa on Wheels.

“Government is aware that passengers face immense problems to travel in private buses due to inappropriate size of seats and overloading. Besides, drivers of most of the passenger buses prefer to ply on lucrative routes. For convenience of passengers, Government has decided to press into service luxury buses in Srinagar. These buses have AC and latest facilities,” Dr Samoon told.

Dr Samoon said the service will be launched soon in the summer capital. He said open deck buses shall also be introduced in the city including from Boulevard to Foreshore road. “We plan to run the service round-the-clock and on minimal ticket rates. Travelling in passenger buses and sumos has become a nightmare. Government is committed to provide best transport services to people,” he said.

Elaborating, he said the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) has been directed to procure 10 luxury buses specifically for Srinagar. “When people can avail transport facilities round the clock in other states, why should the summer capital lag behind? On the directions of Chief Minister, we have started to streamline traffic system in Srinagar. We will also provide an opportunity to unemployed youth to run small cars to ferry passengers,” Dr Samoon said.

SSP Traffic Maqsood-ul-Zaman said the luxury bus service will improve passenger transport system. “It will also give a sort of competition to existing passenger vehicle operators to upgrade their services and avoid overloading,” the SSP said.