Frequency of city buses will increase in Cuttack from Monday (file picture)

Cuttack, Sept. 25: Five more buses will be pressed into service on the second route between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar from Monday.

Private operator Dream Team Sahara (DTS), which runs the city bus service in public-private-partnership mode, had earlier signed an deal with Bhubaneswar-Puri Transport Services Limited for running 10 buses from the city.

The bus service had begun in Bhubaneswar as a joint venture between DTS and the transport service company under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in October last year.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had flagged off the much awaited city bus service in Cuttack on May 16. Initially, the service started in Cuttack with 10 buses. Five more buses were added in July. At present, 15 buses are in operation between the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. With five more buses joining the fleet, the total number of buses operating will be 20.

“As per a high court order, we have decided to operate five additional buses on the second route from Monday,” said Sudhansu Jena, chief executive officer of the DTS.

With the rise in the number of buses, it is expected that the passengers would be able to avail the bus service much conveniently as the commuters will have to wait less to catch a bus. At present, a passenger has to wait for more than 30 minutes to board a bus.

“With the introduction of more buses, the frequency between the arrival and departure of bus from one stop to the other would increase. As a result, the passengers can board and avail the city bus facility much easily,” said Sidhart Swain, a student.

Jena said the additional five buses would commute on the second route that had been revised.

From Monday, passengers will be able to avail the bus service from Bidanasi village to Master Canteen via Deula Sahi, Kanika Chhak, Saila Bala Women’s college, Buxi Bazar, Cantonment Road, Matamatha, SCB Medical Road, Ranihat, College Square, OMP, Badambadi and Madhupatna.

Earlier, the bus service was in operation from Chahata ghat to Master Canteen and covered areas such as Biju Patnaik Park, Barabati Stadium, Mathamatha, Jobra, Medical Road, College Square, OMP Square and Badambadi.

“No doubt, daily passengers who commute between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have benefited from the bus service. Now, with the operation of 20 buses, we hope that more passengers will be able to avail the facility,” said Bikram Sahu, 38, a passenger.

DTS officials said efforts were also being made to come up with monthly passes for daily commuters, including students. The system has already been introduced on an experimental basis and may soon be put into effect.