CHANDIGARH: The UT transport department has asked Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, Ahmedabad, for a short-term plan for route rationalisation and optimisation in view of the current fleet of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses. The objective is to implement the plan immediately after the induction of 40 electric buses likely in September.
The university had highlighted major weaknesses in the public transport in a report that had been instituted by the transport department under World Bank-sponsored Intelligent Transport System project recently. The department in its action taken report before the administration in connection with ‘introduction of public friendly aesthetic public transport system’ stated, “CTU buses are providing all-sector service with a frequency of 15 to 30 minutes. The university was assigned to prepare a business and service plan for CTU.
It conducted a survey and did that.” “The university was requested for a short-term plan that can be implemented immediately keeping in view the fleet following the induction of 40 electric buses. After according approval to the business and service plan, action will be initiated regarding augmentation of CTU fleet and reduction in frequency from 15-30 minutes,” the report added.
The university in its report submitted to the UT in March, had stated, “The load factor (bus seat capacity being occupied) is around 22%, much lower than the desired range of 65-75%.” One of the reasons cited was the low trust on the system.
