KOLKATA: Reeling under the high cost of diesel, a section of bus operators is now keen on switching to CNG, a less expensive and more environment-friendly fuel and also exploring new AC routes to make the operations sustainable in the long run.
The City Suburban Bus Service that launched the AC route between Shapoorjee and Ultadanga a few days ago has proposed five long routes in the city, which will connect the IT hubs of Sector V and New Town with areas like Garia, Barasat and Thakurpukur. They have also proposed a scheme, under which they will run the state owned non-AC buses and pay a fee to the government.
“With most of the existing buses set to be phased out by 2024, we need new ideas and new business models to sustain ourselves. Our initial dialogue with the state government has been meaningful. The government has expressed its willingness to support private players using alternate forms of energy. For this, they are ready to consider new routes or bring diversions to the existing routes. Keeping in mind that the Kasba CNG pump is up and running, we have proposed to run an AC private route from near Sakherbazar/Eden City to Shapoorjee and another two between Garia and Shapoorjee as well as Barasat and Shapoorjee,” said Titu Saha, general secretary of the City Suburban Bus Service.
Tapan Banerjee of Joint Council of Bus Syndicate has spoken to the government about arranging loans for those who are planning to run on alternate fuels by changing the engines, instead of taking new buses. “First, there should be clarity whether the ones who are switching to CNG will be allowed to operate. We also want clarity on whether the state will help us procure bank loans in buying new buses once the old ones are scrapped,” said Banerjee.
The state transport department officials stated that there were talks on providing subsidies to the owners who wanted to switch to CNG fuel. “We will help the city’s bus fleet to be cleaner, greener and cost effective. A decision in this regard will be announced soon,” said a senior official.
