Hi-tech e-buses bring cheers to passengers in Srinagar

Srinagar, Dec 5: As the summer capital has been grappling with shortage of public transport, hi-tech e-buses have brought some respite to the passengers on various routes.
Officials said e-buses are equipped with the latest technology that will ensure hassle-free public transport service for the Srinagarites.

Srinagar Smart City Ltd officials said that they have partnered with ‘Chalo’ app which will help the passengers of Srinagar to get all the e-bus facilities within a click on smart phone.

Last month, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched 100 electric buses in Srinagar, 75 of which will operate within Srinagar and 25 between Srinagar and other districts.

“Each bus is equipped with five cameras, a lift system for wheelchair-bound passengers, and other emergency facilities. There are many services that will be operated through mobile applications with transparency. These buses also have a proper heating and cooling system, which will be helpful in Srinagar’s weather,” said an official.

DEDICATED MOBILE APPLICATION

Officials said that they have partnered with a ticketing app called ‘Chalo” app which will enable users to track the live location of buses. They said that the passengers will be able to know the route plan of the bus through the application.

“In the next few days, passengers will be able to generate tickets and pay fare through the application. They can also search the location that they want to travel to and check availability of the bus on that route. It will also help them to check how much time the bus will take to reach their stop,” they said.

ROUTE PLAN
The officials said that they recently finalised the route plan and ensured that all areas are covered. As per the route plan, the authorities have selected 16 routes for the buses that will operate within Srinagar and outside the Srinagar district.

E-buses on Route one will ply from Parimpora to Harwan; Route two from Budgam Bus Stand to Jahangir Chowk; Route three from Hazratbal to Jahangir Chowk; Route four from Chadoora to Soura; Route five from Jahangir Chowk to Buchpora; Route six from from Railway station Nowgam to Lalchowk, Route Seven from Qamarwari via Noorbagh, Khanyar to Qamarwari (Circular route), Route eight from Budgam to Batamaloo; Route nine from Parimpora to Hazratbal; Route 10 from Pantha Chowk to Parimpora; Route 11 from Nishat to Hazratbal; Route 12 from Rangreth to Jahangir Chowk; Route 13 Batamaloo to Pandach respectively. These routes will go via multiple areas in between, covering other parts of Srinagar as well.

In addition to this, buses on routes A, B, and C will ply from Pantha Chowk to Anantnag, Pantha Chowk to Baramulla, and Batamaloo to Pandach, respectively.

E-BUS FARE:

As per the SSCL, the e-bus fare has been rolled out for the passenger. As per the fare rate list, 10 rupees will be charged up to three Kilometers, 15 rupees between three to five kilometers. Charge for 5 to 10 Kilometer travel will be 20 rupees, while travel between, 15 to 20 kilometer, 20 to 25 kilometers and 25 to 30 kilometers will be 30, 35 and 40 rupees respectively. This fare is as per the intercity bus matrix.

CEO Srinagar Smart City Athar Aamir said that the buses will ply from 7 am to 10 pm and will address the evening transport issue as well.

“In summer, we will ensure that buses will operate till 11 pm, which will address various transport issues. We request people not to travel without a ticket as this will invite action from the authorities. We have a dedicated office for e-buses operations at Pantha Chowk, and if any passenger will face any issue, they can contact us,” Khan said.