Transport policy notified, but won’t be enforced yet

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 24

The much-awaited state transport policy to check the alleged favourtism to a particular family and a lobby of transporters backed by politicians was notified today.

However, its effective implementation will take at least three months. Till then, the controversial permits issued during the previous regime will continue. More than 2,000 of the existing about 6,500 bus permits were found to have been issued in violation of the rules. This number is in addition to the numerous buses plying in the state illegally.

Sources in the Transport Department said the draft of the policy was subject to approval as public could raise objections to certain clauses and give suggestions. Also, court cases on permits are pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court where the department has sought at least three months for the implementation of the new policy.

At the outset, the policy keeps a bigger share of permits for the state transport undertakings — the PRTC and Punjab Roadways. The government-run buses will have 100 per cent control on interstate and specified routes.

The policy has given government buses 40 per cent share on state highways, while both private and government buses have equal share on national highways running in the state.

To curtail routes of private transporters, the new policy has limited one company’s share to 25 per cent on a single route. This means no one can have monopoly on any route.

The policy has banned extension and stretching of any route. It has also banned increasing frequency of one transporter’s bus on one route.

“This is important to check malpractices. Earlier, some transporters got extended the route to next town and this continued with the bus running double distance than its original allotment,” said an affected transporter.

Sarvjit Singh, Principal Secretary, Transport, said the public had a month’s time to file objections or suggestions. “We have tired to make the policy transparent and provide a level-playing field to all transporters, besides creating room for new,” he said.

The policy has made provisions for women safety as well. It has sought installation of panic buttons within reach of every seat for passengers. Also, the buses will be GPS-enabled.

What the new policy entails

• The government-run buses will have 100 per cent control on interstate and specified routes
• Roadways buses will have 40% share on state highways and 50% on national highways
• One company’s share limited to 25% on one route
• No extension and stretching of any route
• No increase in frequency of one transporter’s bus on one route
• Panic buttons within reach of every seat for passengers
• Buses will be GPS-enabled