Chardham Yatra 2023: Promotion of public transport, 200 new buses will join the fleet
Summary
Several transport companies, including Chardham Yatra Transport Company, TGMOU, GMOU, Roopkund, and Seemant Sahakari Sangh Karnprayag, are introducing new buses to their fleets. Additionally, the Garhwal Mandal Contract Carriage Association in Rishikesh, Doon Valley Contract Carriage Association in Dehradun, Garhwal Mandal Users in Berokhal Ramnagar, and Garhwal Mandal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society in Pauri are also bringing in new buses. These companies are aiming to provide better transport services to the people of Uttarakhand, particularly for those who are planning to visit the Chardham Yatra and Roopkund. This move is expected to enhance the travel experience of the passengers and provide them with comfortable and safe journeys.
Expansion
In order to restore public transport services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the transport department is working towards encouraging more people to travel to Chardham by public buses, tempos, and travelers rather than private vehicles. To facilitate this, the department has enlisted the help of bus operators who are bringing about 200 new buses to their fleets. Additionally, over 200 old buses are being renovated and made more comfortable for passengers. The transport corporation is also upgrading its own buses to provide better services to travelers. The ultimate goal is to provide safe and efficient transportation options for those undertaking the Chardham Yatra.
According to ARTO Mohit Kothari, public transport was significantly impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Chardham Yatra buses were sold off as a result, and the operators of hundreds of buses were unable to pay their taxes. Financial constraints also prevented many bus operators from properly maintaining the fitness of their vehicles. As a result, a large number of buses had to be scrapped or sold off. This has caused significant challenges for the transport industry, as it tries to revive its services and provide safe and reliable transportation options for travelers undertaking the Chardham Yatra.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of private buses available for the Chardham Yatra has decreased. In response, several transport companies, including TGMOU, GMOU, Roopkund, and Seemant Sahakari Sangh Karnprayag, as well as various contract carriage associations and cooperative societies, have come together to provide new buses for the Yatra. The transport department is also providing support to ensure that adequate transportation services are available to the public. This collaborative effort is aimed at providing safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation options for those embarking on the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage.
These buses will be included in the fleet
ARTO Mohit Kothari has stated that mainly three-by-two and two-by-two buses will be used for the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage. The former type of bus has 42 seats, while the latter has 28 seats. Additionally, two types of two-by-two buses will be used: normal and pushback. The demand for pushback buses has increased recently due to their comfort and convenience. These buses have seats that are more comfortable than those in normal buses. Overall, the aim is to provide comfortable and safe transportation options to pilgrims undertaking the Chardham Yatra.
The fare has not been decided yet
It has been announced that the bus fare for the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage will be increased by five percent. This decision has received support from seven companies involved in the rotation system, while talks are underway with other unions, including the Traffic and Doon Valley Company, to include them in the system as well. However, the exact fare increase has not yet been determined. The decision to increase the fare is likely to help cover the costs of providing safe and reliable transportation services to pilgrims while ensuring that the transport industry is financially viable.
