PANAJI
Nearly seven months after their commissioning under the Panaji Smart City Project, Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited’s (KTCL) electric buses have generated Rs 1,60,59,520 in revenue for the State exchequer across 12 routes.
The Transport Department has recorded around 16,23,272 commuters using 48 e-buses on routes including Indigo Onward, Indigo Return, Violet Onward, Violet Return, Red Onward, Red Return, Orange (Loop), Blue (Loop), Green Onward, Green Return, Yellow Onward and Yellow Return.
In response to an unstarred question by MLA Viresh Borkar, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho informed the House that the maximum revenue of Rs 47,18,240 came from the Yellow Onward route covering Panaji Bus Stand, Interstate KTC Bus Stand, Mala, Neugi Nagar, St Cruz Church, GMC, Goa University, Dona Paula Circle, Miramar Beach, Panaji Market, Divja Circle and Panaji Bus Stand. The Yellow Return route contributed Rs 43,64,287, while the Blue Loop generated Rs 13,64,186 and the Orange Loop Rs 10,51,609.
The minister further informed the House that on three routes, the buses -- under the Smart City Mission -- operate without conductors, which means the commuters have to use pole-mounted validators for payments via smart transit cards.
“Various payment options such as UPI/Credit/Debit card /Cash/ Smart Transit Cards and Ticket validators etc are available for passengers for purchase of tickets. However, Automated Fare Collection System is to be encouraged as the primary mode of payment for fares leading to faster adoption of an Intelligent Transport Management System. At present three routes are being operated without conductors, where buses are fitted with pole-mounted validators where payment is done through smart transit card and mobile app,” he said.
The minister further said that any gap between revenue and operational expenditure is covered through variable Gap Funding by the State Government, ensuring that Smart City operations run on a no-profit, no-loss basis.
The operation and maintenance costs are borne by the operator on a per- kilometer basis with KTCL paying Rs 47.95 per km for 12-meter e-buses, Rs 45.50 per km for 9-meter e-buses, and Rs 40.95 per km for 7-meter e-buses. Charging costs, repairs, and replacement of parts are also managed by the operator.
