NAGPUR: Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's (MSRTC) already bleeding city bus services has received a jolt with its load factor going down following recent increase in fares.
According to field staff manning these buses, since April 25, when the fares have gone up, the MSRTC is losing passengers, specially to destinations outside the city limits. They say, the rise is between 30% and 90%. It has gone up from stage six i.e. from 10 kms onwards (each stage is of 2 km). "It's not marginal as claimed by the ST officials and is deterring passengers to travel in ST buses. Instead, autorickshaws (savariwallas) are charging less then the buses," they told TOI.
In case of areas within the city, the effect doesn't look large as the increase is not more than Re 1 and Rs 2. But weaker sections travelling to rural areas have been burdened by the hike. The worst-affected routes include Khaperkheda, Koradi, Kanhan, Kamptee, Hingna, Wadad and several other rural areas.
Citing example of Khaperkheda, a conductor said, "The distance is 25 kms from Sitabuldi. The fare was Rs 14 earlier. Now it has gone upto Rs 26, a hike of 90%. On the contrary, the narrow gauge (NG) train costs Rs 4, whereas autorickshaw takes Rs 20 per seat. Why will people prefer ST buses?" he asked.
"Rural folks are drifting to NG trains, which have three timings. Before the hike, ST buses were overflowing while now the load factor has gone down. Similar is the condition with Kamptee, Kanhan and Hingna buses, to state a few," complained employees, asking, "Is it a warning signal for ST buses by closing them down to pave way for private Starbus operator, who is demanding to extend its buses?"
One of the conductors on Hingna route said, "Before the hike, earnings from four schedules was Rs 3,000-3,500. However, it has slid to Rs 2,000-2,500." Another conductor on Kanhan route said, "At 7.45 pm on Saturday, at least 20 passengers alighted from the bus at Sitabuldi to go by train protesting fare hike." The number of passengers will dwindle further once admission process comes to a close, apprehended ST conductors.
When contacted, Suryakant Ambadekar, divisional controller, Nagpur, admitted that load factor has gone down by 10%. "We've intimated this to the central office and expect some relief," he said.
On June 25, the first day of hike, the CBS-1 depot, from where around 80 schedules are operated, cash receipts were over Rs 4.50 lakh. However, in the past three days the receipts have downed to 4 lakh.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/MSRTC_slips_on_passengers/articleshow/3178581.cms
