NT Reporter
Panaji
The Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) has said it will examine the
feasibility of introducing direct bus services from major taluka headquarters to the Goa University within the next 30 days following representations from students.
The assurance came after KTCL managing director Rohan Kaskar met a delegation of students from Canacona, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Sattari, Ponda and other interior areas, who said they were forced to change multiple buses, particularly at the Panaji KTC bus stand, to reach the university.
The students sought
direct services from their respective talukas, saying
the present system increases travel time and inconvenience.
“Their demand is that buses should go directly to the Goa University. We have taken note of their representations and will examine how best this can be implemented,” Kaskar said.
As an immediate measure, KTCL will deploy four additional buses from Ponda and Sattari. Kaskar said these would be regular public buses and not services reserved for students.
“These buses are not
special buses for students. They are regular public buses, so other passengers will also travel on them,” he said, adding that the buses would continue to serve commuters travelling towards Panaji.
Although Smart City electric buses operate between Panaji and Goa University every 10 to 15 minutes, students said changing buses remains inconvenient, particularly for those travelling from distant talukas. KTCL is also examining the possibility of diverting selected long-distance buses, especially those originating from Canacona and other southern talukas, via the Panaji bus stand and then to the university during peak hours.
According to Kaskar, the diversion would involve an additional five-kilometre journey from the Panaji bus stand to the university.
The corporation expects to take a decision after receiving a new fleet of buses.
“We have asked for one month’s time because we are on the verge of receiving new buses. Once they arrive, we will be in a better position to rationalise routes and introduce direct connectivity wherever feasible,” Kaskar said.
