Haryana govt approves new transport policy

Haryana Roadways, under the new transport policy, will now hire buses from private operators to provide efficient and economical services to passengers on routes, for which there have been a long standing demand.
Addressing press conference here today, Haryana Transport Minister Krishan Lal Pawar said the Haryana Roadways will have the entire operational control on these buses.
"People have been raising demand to start bus service on different routes for a long long time. To cater to the need of passengers, it has been decided to avail of the services of buses of private operators in the fleet of Haryana Roadways," he said, while announcing the state's new transport policy.

At present, the minister said, Haryana Roadways has a fleet of 4200 buses which would be increased to 5000 by the end of this year.
"The orders for purchase of 300 new buses have already been given, while the rest would be bought later," he added.
Pawar said, initially there is a proposal to hire 500 private buses under the scheme, but the number could increase as per the demand.

Everyday about 17 lakh passengers travel in the state roadways buses as against a demand of 40 lakh passengers.
Besides increasing the number of buses, the government has began the process for recruitment of 725 new drivers and 636 other technical staff.

"Requisition has been sent to Haryana Staff Selection Commission for recruitment on regular basis," Pawar said.
Giving details about the new policy, he said State Transport Department will hire buses on per kilometre basis.
Maximum five buses would be hired from any person, firm, company, registered society or any other legal unit, through online e-tendering to ensure complete transparency.
He said preference would be given to old permit-holders of buses for hire purposes provided that they apply through the e-tendering process.
The minister said the new scheme would be applicable for standard buses.
Also, Rs 50,000 and Rs 35,000 have to be deposited as security by the private bus operators for the operation of 52 seater buses and 32 seater mini buses respectively.

"The colour of these buses will be similar to those of Haryana Roadways," he said, adding the conductor would be provided by the Roadways.
Replying to about losses to Haryana Roadways, the minister said all out efforts would be made to bring down the losses.
The government will hire additional five buses each for 18
driving training centres of Haryana Roadways so that maximum youth could be imparted training.
On the issue of drivers' holding fake driving licenses, he said strict action would be taken against them.
Apart from this, officers of Regional Transport Authority (RTA) have been directed to keep a vigil on overloaded vehicles.

The Tribunal has given a time of one year to the owners of oversized vehicles to get size of their vehicle corrected, as per the scheduled dimensions which is going to expire in January 2016.
GPS system is being installed in the buses for their monitoring, also free regular bus facility for the girl students would be extended upto the colleges level, Pawar said.
The government has also directed to change the colour of buses of Haryana Roadways in the workshop before their auction.
Under the new policy, it will be the responsibility of owner to ensure that the drivers have valid driving licence for driving vehicles on plains as well as on hilly roads, Pawar said.

He would get the antecedents of the drivers and their driving license verified from the concerned district authorities/licensing authorities before they are allowed to be put on duty.
The owner shall be responsible for keeping the hired bus roadworthy by ensuring repair and maintenance of the bus, he said.
The leased bus will not be used by the owner for carrying passengers for him/her or on behalf of others or for any other purpose under any circumstances, he said.
The transport department will have rights to levy penalties for delayed/early departure of bus, missing of trip, not providing bus for operation, non-stoppage at authorised bus stops, operation via bye pass/over bridge having prescribed bus stop at ground level, non-stoppage of bus for checking on being given a signal by inspector/sub-inspector of State Transport Department, he said.

The state transport department will have right to collect fare for passengers and goods carried by the bus and owner of the bus shall have no right over this income or fare charged from the passengers traveling in the bus, he said.