City bus operators fear a decline in their earnings after introduction of electric buses

Expressing fears about adverse impact on their earnings due to introduction of electric buses, Dehradun city bus operators have asked the transport department to define the routes of electric buses so that these buses do not run on their routes only during the rush hours.

Since post-Covid, the business of the city bus oeprators is dwindling and they have been already blaming the alleged operation of Vikrams and autorickshaws for it. Now when the Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) is planning to operate 30 electric buses, the city bus operators have now expressed that it might harm their business if the administration will not allot the proper routes to these buses.

According to the president of Dehradun Mahanagar City Bus Seva Mahasangh, Vijay Vardhan Dandriyal, the transport department should define the routes of the electric buses soon rather than giving them permission to operate as per their wish since it will be unfair to the city bus operators. Moreover, he said that if the department will provide bus terminals for the operation of electric buses then such arrangements should also be made for the city buses. He further added that if the administration will make bus stops for electric buses to operate on various routes, the city buses should also be allowed to use those stops. Meanwhile, Dandriyal asserted that electric buses can also be allowed to operate during late hours, especially near railway stations and bus stops so that those travelling during the night do not have to pay more than the double fare of the usual charges to the three-wheeler vehicles. He informed that he has written about these recommendations and objections to the transport commissioner on Wednesday and he is optimistic that the commissioner will consider all the points and take appropriate decisions.

Thursday, 17 December 2020 | PNS | Dehradun