AHMEDABAD: The shuttle bus service connecting SG Highway in Ahmedabad to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport has finally resumed on Monday. The bus service launched by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), will come as a huge relief to frequent flyers and other passengers who can transit to the airport at economical fares.
Municipal standing committee chairman, Hitesh Barot, along with deputy mayor, Gitaben Patel; leader of ruling party in AMC, Bhaskar Bhatt and chairman of AMTS, Vallabhbhai Patel.
Representatives of Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited which runs the BRT service along with those of Adani Airports were present at the launch ceremony. A fleet of 15 air-conditioned, electric busses have been deployed along the 19-km route which starts from Iskcon Crossroads at SG Highway and culminates at the SVPI airport via 132-feet Ring Road and RTO Circle. Passengers will have to pay Rs 50 to avail the service, which will operate from 6am to 11pm every 30 minutes.
According to estimates by SVPI airport, some 20,000 passengers transit through the SVPI airport every single day. The passenger rush is expected to go up in the run up to the festive season and also because the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has given nod to domestic flights to operate at 100% capacity from Monday onwards.
The decision to resume the bus service was taken during a meeting held between AMC officials and authorities of the SVPI airport, last week.
The shuttle bus service will come handy for these passengers to transit to various parts of the city. The drop-off point at the airport is near domestic departures whereas the pick-up will be in close proximity to the arrivals area of the domestic terminal. The ticket counter will be set up at the airport arrivals area.
