The launch of the Smart Transit Card (STC) and the travel-aid app Tummoc on Wednesday will transport Panaji’s e-bus commuters to the world of paperless ticketing, allowing them to tap in and out to board or alight.
The technology will be available from Thursday. It has been introduced by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) and Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) as part of the Smart City initiative.
The STC can be bought with a one-time payment of Rs 150, which covers the top-up value of Rs 75 for the first 500 commuters. The card, which can be charged online, has lifetime validity, obviating the need for renewals.
KTCL MD Derek Pereira Neto told TOI that currently the card can be used only for Smart City EVs operational within Panaji. “After Aug 31, the card will be linked to KTC and commuters can use it even on the fuel-run Kadamba buses in the city,” Neto said.
“We want to eventually extend the Smart City card usage throughout Goa so that even those travelling from Panaji to destinations outside the city can benefit.”
IPSCDL CEO Sanjit Rodrigues said that special concession passes will be available for students and senior citizens. Additionally, those with cancer and HIV will soon have free passes, making their travel more accessible and affordable. “One of the key functionalities of the Tummoc app is its trip planner, designed to assist users in making informed decisions about their travel routes,” he said. “The app enables passengers to book tickets seamlessly and offers a QR-code validation system for convenience and security.”
Rodrigues said the project includes Smart Transit IT interventions to enhance cost-efficiency, promote green practices, and facilitate conductor-less operations.
“The larger objective of IPSCDL is to bring all local transit systems under one ambit. Soon the STC can be used across all KTCL buses,” he said.
In all, 161 stops have been designated as part of the bus project under the Smart City, Rodrigues said, adding that the goal is to make sure no person has to walk more than 150 metres to take a bus.
However, he said that due to land limitations, bus shelters will not be constructed at every stop. Instead, 35 bus shelters were proposed in areas with high footfall, sufficient land availability, and larger populations.
He added that the implementation of a dedicated bus corridor in Panaji is not feasible. “To identify the factors contributing to bus delays, a thorough documentation process is under way,” he said. “Once the reasons are clearly outlined, IPSCDL will approach police and the CCP to request appropriate actions, leading to smoother bus operations in the city.”
Commenting on the poor roads in Panaji, Rodrigues said a presentation will be made to govt, emphasising the importance of working on drainage systems before commencing road construction. The lessons learned from previous successes have highlighted the necessity of prioritising the building of drains to make roads more durable, he said.
He further said that technology is being picked to complete the work of laying the sewerage pipeline along the Taad Maad Temple to the Tonca STP stretch.
---
Quelle/Source: The Times of India, 15.08.2024
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
