Want to go pandal-hopping with your extended family and friends, but worried you'll miss all the fun if you travel in separate cars? Here's your chance to book a bus.
Shikshit Berozgar Minibus Association, the umbrella outfit of private bus operators, has proposed a pool service from Sashthi on October 7 to Navami on October 10, topped with an attractive discount of at least 30 per cent on normal day ticket sales.
Sanjay Pandey, general secretary of the association, said they submitted a proposal - to deploy the 125-strong fleet on customised pandal routes - to East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amit Kumar and district transport officer (DTO) Sanjay Kujur on Wednesday.
This year, Jamshedpur is hosting 306 Durga Pujas, six more than 2015.
"People usually go pandal-hopping on bikes, cars and SUVs, which increases fuel consumption and in turn carbon footprint. Availing of our pool bus service will be a both environment- and pocket-friendly option. Since the buses have 30-35 seats, neighbours can join too!" Pandey said.
The association has planned a flat 30 per cent discount on fares, which may go up if the service draws good response.
"We will offer 30 per cent discount for half-day booking. People like visiting pandals after dusk because of illuminations. So, half-day will mean from evening till wee hours," the official said, adding that those lazy to visit the Sakchi terminus for bookings can just dial them at 9279025929.
Conservative estimates show that every private bus collects around Rs 50,000 through daylong ticket sales. So, half-day bus collections mean Rs 25,000 and 30 per cent of that amount comes to around Rs 17,500, which translates into an affordable Rs 500 per head.
On how to book the pool bus service, Pandey said pandal-hoppers only needed to call, mention pick-up point and tentative time of arrival. "Money will have to be deposited with the staff after boarding the bus. We will not require any advance. The bus will follow the route passengers want, picking or dropping them wherever needed," he added.
Pandey maintained that they might even allow a base price of Rs 5,000 towards fuel expenses and perks if there are fewer passengers. "But, these bookings will have to be done after 8.30pm (once buses complete their normal schedule). Advance bookings in this category can't be accepted," he said.
DTO Kujur appreciated the proposal. "It is a good move; environment-friendly too because it will reduce traffic volume on roads," he said. Traffic department data show that Durga Puja days witness a more than three-fourth increase in traffic volume on major arteries in the steel city.
Residents are upbeat. "Riding a bus together to pandals will be affordable fun. It will be safer too compared to hiring an auto-rickshaw," said Shiv Pujan Singh, a senior functionary of Singhbhum Varishtha Nagrik Manch.
Will the Puja bus service be a hit or a miss? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
