Aurangabad, Nov 23:
The operation of smart city buses resumed in the city from November 5. However, the absence of an expected response from the citizens as affected economics. Against expenditure of Rs 63 on every kilometre, the operator could net Rs 18 only. Thus pushed to suffer a loss of Rs 45 per kilometre, said the sources.
In the past 18 days, the smart buses completed a distance of 98,764 kilometres. A total of 69,356 passengers travelled in them, and the operator collected a revenue of Rs 14.21 lakh in the form of bus fares. The Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ASCDCL) is the custodian of the buses.
The new inning of public transport service started with passenger-friendly facilities like a mobile app, smart card, e-ticket machine, vehicle tracking system, passengers information system, etc. The android-based e-ticketing system encourages passengers to buy the ticket by paying through all banks debit/credit cards or e-wallets. The facility of issuing tickets manually also exists. The bus service resumed after a gap of seven months with the operations of 30 buses. The buses are also plying on long routes like Phulambri, Bidkin, Karmad and Ellora for the convenience of passengers.
The attractive schemes introduced for passengers include enjoying visiting places in the city on payment of just Rs 60, travel for seven days on payment of charges for five days, for 30 days on payment of charges for 20 days or 90 days on payment of charges for 60 days. Meanwhile, the buses will also be available for visits to industrial destinations, tourist destinations, excursions, conventions, marriage, social or cultural functions, political programmes or private programmes in and around the city etc.