Not so cool

Patna, Nov. 11: Eden Transport Private Limited is facing a bitter stand-off with the state over withdrawal of the ladies special bus service.

Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), which runs the service on a public-private partnership (PPP) mode with Eden Transport Private Limited, claims that the company withdrew the service without waiting for the mandatory permission from the transport corporation.

Countering the BSRTC’s claim, officials of Eden Transport Private Limited said they had applied to BSRTC for withdrawal of the service in the last week of June. After waiting for more than four months, it decided to convert the entire fleet of 15 ladies special buses into general ones.

“Though the operator (Eden) sought our permission to withdraw the ladies special bus service a few months ago, the approval has not yet been granted. We run ring route buses for the welfare of citizens and not for profit. If the operator is unable to generate sufficient revenue, then steps would be taken to make up for the said losses. The operator cannot decide to withdraw the service, it needs the consent of the corporation. Hence, efforts are being made to resume the service at the earliest,” said a BSRTC official on condition of anonymity.

Considering the BSRTC attitude, Eden Transport Private Limited officials have now backtracked on their decision and are claiming to resume the ladies special bus service. “Patna is perhaps the first city in the country to have a ladies special bus service. The idea was novel but our assumption was proving wrong, as there was negligible number of takers for this service. Most of the buses were running almost empty. Consequently, we were unable to meet the running expenses of these buses and so withdrew the service. However, as the BSRTC and we are like family, we would co-operate with them in providing this service to the citizens. Moreover, we are devoted to serving women in the state capital to the best of our abilities and do not wish to inconvenience them. If the state transport department summons me, then I would suggestion reserving 50 per cent of the seats in all buses on all routes for women. In case they do not agree, I would obey their orders even if my buses run on losses,” said Sachchidanand Rai, managing director, Eden Transport Private Limited.