The Times of India             10.09.2013

VMC looks to procure 150 buses

VADODARA: After experimenting with a private operator running the city bus service, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is now exploring another model by mooting a proposal to procure 150 buses that will be operated by a private operator. Presently, Vitcos Pvt Ltd both owns and operates the buses that ply in the city.

It will be for the first time that the VMC will have its own fleet of buses for urban mobility. Previously, the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation ( GSRTC) used to operate the city bus service. Vitcos took over the service in 2008 on a five-year contract that expired in May this year.

Since May, the arrangement with Vitcos has been temporary till the process of fresh bids is completed. The future of Vitcos as an operator in the city now hangs in balance.

Sources in the civic body said the civic body has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for obtaining the buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The civic body will be spending around Rs 40 crore on the buses.

"The idea is to have a better urban transport facility in the city. We are looking to obtain good quality buses. Once the DPR gets through we can begin working on the facility," said VMC standing committee chairman Hitendra Patel. Patel added that the idea was to give the buses on contract to an operator who could run them.

A senior VMC official said the proposed service would include a state-of-the-art control room that could monitor the GPS-enabled buses. Sources added that the civic body had taken the decision after examining models in other cities, including Delhi. The new buses will run on diesel and comply with the latest emission norms. These will be more comfortable than the existing

Vitcos buses that operate on CNG, an official said.