Increasing awareness about Climate Change due to pollution has implemented change in the way citizens commute in and around the city. While some of us still choose to travel by private vehicles every day, an estimated 1.25 lakh Barodians take advantage of public transport on a daily basis.
“Vadodara is on the 3rd place after Ahmedabad and Surat to make utmost use of public transport in Gujarat”, says Narendra Singh Rana, manager – Vinayak Transport, in an exclusive interview with Our Vadodara. Out of the 1.25 daily commuters, 70% are students who take maximum benefit of the Smart City Buses.
Rana stated that around 160 buses are used on a daily basis, of which 20 are fully air-conditioned. Like every other public transport, Vinayak Transport seems to be a much cheaper option for daily commute. More so, the last ticket fare hike was in 2010-11. “We introduced 80% concession on ticket pass for handicap persons and senior citizens in 2019,” he added. Students are benefited by 50% concession on ticket pass, whereas professionals get 30%.
“During the floods caused by torrential rain in July 2019, we faced a loss of 1.5 crore only 5 buses were operating due to the damaged sensors”, said Rana.
The figures of commuters are increasing by the day since 2.7 crore commuters traveled by 55 buses in 2017, 3.5 crore in 2018 and 4.5 crore citizens made utmost use of the 160 Smart City Buses in 2019. With increasing use of buses, Vinayak Transport plans to start operation of 35 new buses and have more bus stops in 2020.
“Vinayak Transport is largely responsible for the employment of 700 people since its inception and hence, we have demanded for adequate parking from the VMSS,” stated Rana.
