Noida Metro Rail Corp to introduce app-based bus service

Users can gauge number of seats and closest bus available

Taking a cue from the Delhi government’s announcement on app-based bus services, Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) might introduce app-based buses in Noida and Greater Noida, which will allow users to know the number of seats and the closest bus available, among other things.

NMRC has awarded the contract for this to Pune-based MP Group, an integrated bus service provider, to ply 105 buses in 13 routes between Noida and Greater Noida.

Confirming the development, Abhishek Pathak, chairman and managing director of MP Group told Business Standard: “The total cost of buses, depot and office setup would be the tune of Rs 120 crore, which will be funded through debt. We’re also looking for strategic alliance and equity. NMRC might go ahead with app and other technical advancements in the buses. These buses will be high-tech AC buses fitted with GPS (global positioning system) and also disabled-friendly.”

These buses are true low floor buses which will be beneficial for all type of commuters as of all these are disable friendly buses and eco-friendly which will be running on CNG, ITeS ready buses.

In the past couple of months, app-based bus service firms Shuttl and Mojo have also started bus operations independently in Gurgaon, Delhi and Noida. Shuttl also runs its services exclusively through its app. These developments are expected to address Delhi national capital region’s traffic woes to some extent and bring relief to the capital’s commuters.

After Noida, the company is eyeing to commence operations in Surat and nagpur. He added,"We are in process of filling up the current tenders for Surat & Nagpur and also we would be filling up the upcoming tenders in few months for Delhi.

MP Group also plans to bid for Delhi Transport Corporation’s plan to have 1,500 electric, hybrid or CNG buses. Also, The company is planning to explore the middle east regions as well through the collaboration with foreign partners.

In 2015-16, the group turnover would be around 275-280 crore and in 2016-17, they are projecting around 450-500 crore.

On being asked about how the private operations are different from government run transport undertaking she added, "Quick decision making, bringing in the best global practices of working in the organization based on terms of technology and talent, working based on timelines and strategies planned as per the work. Focusing more on towards the sustainability. These things stands apart the private sector."
 

With operations pan-India since 1981, the company manages a fleet of self-owned buses for staff transportation across Pune and Mumbai. The company is headquartered in Pune with a corporate office in Mumbai and branch offices at Bengaluru, Goa, Delhi and Ahmedabad. 

It intends to launch international branch offices along with increasing the strength of the existing fleet of buses.