Bhubaneswar, Dec. 27: A plan is in place to revamp city bus service by adding more vehicles to the existing fleet to increase frequency and reduce waiting time for passengers. Though still in the survey stage, transportation has been accorded priority in the smart city project.
The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) has come up with the project to modernise the city bus service to make it more convenient and passenger-oriented. The BSCL is also carrying out studies to formulate the best possible model in the sector.
To carry out the plan, the BSCL has decided to engage a project management consultant that will work in tandem with city bus service operator, Bhubaneswar-Puri Transport Services Limited (BPTSL), to formulate policies, design infrastructure and monitor construction of transit infrastructure.
"Public transport is a focus area for the city as it received huge votes under the Smart City Challenge last year. We had included this sector prominently in the smart city proposal and now we are going to have specific plans for modernisation of urban mobility sector here," said director of the BSCL Krishan Kumar.
He said that the proposal to engage a project management consultant for the bus modernisation plan had been issued. "We have already hired France-based firm Egis and Canada-based firm IBI as consultants for various infrastructure and IT projects, while this one will help us in providing quality urban transport services in the city," said Kumar.
In another development, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) today entered into an agreement with the World Resources Institute (WRI) to tackle various public transport issues. The agency will provide technical assistance to the BDA and will also engage in capacity-building programmes to catalyse specific sustainable solutions for urban development and mobility.
The agency will mainly work to ensure road safety in keeping with Supreme Court guidelines.
A "Complete Street Programme" will be included with elements of road safety for kids, while there will be a dedicated cycle track and pedestrian plaza to make the city more beautiful, habitable and reduce its pollution burden.
There is also a plan to introduce a public bicycle sharing programme so that one may get a cycle by registering with the programme for a nominal cost and pedal around the city.
"The bicycle sharing programmes is a unique initiative. We plan to promote non-motorised transport through it," said deputy commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Srimanta Mishra.
As part of the smart city programme, the administration will spend Rs 442 crore on pan-city solutions for various issues, including urban mobility. The BSCL also plans bus links for all the 67 wards of the city.
