City Bus Service to start two more routes soon

Shivani Bhakoo

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 31

The City Bus Service, which had remained in controversy for the about eight months due to “heavy” losses incurred by the company, has deposited about Rs 3.5 lakh with the Municipal Corporation. The service became operational again on February 26 under a new contractor.

Two more routes of City Bus Service will be started within one week. As soon as the authorities get electronic ticketing machines, they will launch the new routes.

The in-charge of City Bus Service, Baljit Singh, said two new routes would be from bus stand to Ferozpur Road up to Baddowal and from bus stand to Chandigarh Road up to Kohara. At present, buses are being plied on routes from Green City to Metro via railway station, from bus stand to Churpur up to Badi Haibowal and from Ayali Khurd to Hambran Road to Chotti Haibowal.

Baljit Singh said more woman conductors would join the service tomorrow as they had finished their training.

“Two woman conductors are already working on two routes and about 10 more women will start working as conductors from tomorrow. We have observed that passengers talk politely and do not argue unnecessarily with woman drivers or conductors. Though bouncers have been arranged for the safety of woman conductors in city buses. no complaint has been lodged form any of the woman conductors so far. Instead, both seem happy and satisfied. They have encouraged others to work with men staff,” said Baljit Singh.

The contract was awarded to a new company in February. Earlier, the City Bus Service contractor abruptly stopped operations in July 2014, citing “heavy losses” as the reason.