Agra ST in profit

• UPSRTC declares Ist half of financial year's detail
• Though the number of passengers decreases
• A bus covers 371 kms per day
• Pvt. operators reluctant to further contract

Richeek Mishra

Agra. The number of contract buses hired by Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is decreasing day by day due to the lack of interest shown by the private bus owners, said Assistant Regional Manager (Finance) Atul Shrotriya. Corporation is not affected with the decreasing number of hired buses. The decline will help us to increase state transport buses and its services, he added. UPSRTC is providing efficient, economic, environment friendly, co-ordinated & adequate passenger services with comfort, claimed Atul. UPSRTC has received revenue of Rs. 48.30 crore during the month of April to September this year. Last year in the same period UPSRTC has earned Rs. 43.92 crore. This shows that Agra region of state transport has earned profit of Rs. 4.38 crore.

Corporation has increased eight buses for the Agra region as the number of hired buses decreased during first half of this financial year. Atul informed that the contract period of 3 buses is over, thus now we have to increase our buses. The decision taken by the corporation has evoked good response. According to the sources, state transport buses have covered 297.80 lakh kilometres during first half of this financial year while during the last year these buses had covered only 282.50 lakh km in the same period. However, this is irony that the number of passengers have decreased in this period. Last year around 113.40 lakh passengers took the benefit of corporation buses while this year the number decreases to 111.40 lakh.

Talking to DLA am, ARM Atul Shrotriya said that the number of passengers have decreased due to the recent riots in Agra, Gujjar-Meena agitation in northern part and some other issues. During these incidents passengers preferred train-journey. Meanwhile, these incidents also helped UPSRTC to increase its services in other states when transport services of such states were disturbed due to violence. Agra region has also introduced CNG buses and open Kheragarh route which also indicates good reponse, added Atul.

Fatehpur Sikri Road open for ST buses

Local administration has revoked the ban on the buses plying between Sai Ki Takiya and Subhash Park crossing. This will help Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses and other state buses to travel on Fatehpur Sikri Road. The decision taken by the local administration is welcomed by the state transport officials, said Assistant Regional Manager (Finance) Atul Shrotriya. Buses are diverted towards tourist village Barare and Malpura. The journey time increased due to the diversion of the buses.