GSRTC's revamp shakes small-time bus operators

With Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) revamping its fleet and operations by introducing hi-tech business parameters with an objective to boost its performance and productivity, the small time business operators are fearing run for their money, for, they have started loosing their market share gradually.

Whereas, on the other hand, the long route bus operators are not fearful with the move.

"Majority of the short route buses, shuttling between the proximity of 100 to 125 km, have marginally suffered in their business in last few months. While, the long route bus operators, shuttling at a distance of 200 to 250 km and above, do not perceive GSRTC's measure as a business threat," said Riyaz Metar, of Gujarat Travels.

However, we have to be equally conscious when it come to providing services. And since people travelling long distance always prefer private buses, we do not see any marginal affect on our business, he added..

Jayendra Bavariya of Eagle Corporation, said, "Despite the long route buses been started by GSRTC, this would hardly fetch our 3 to 4 per cent of business; as we have a fixed class of customers comprising upper middle class and above, who would hardly prefer to travel by GSRTC buses." Passengers travelling from Rajkot to Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat and Mumbai prefers luxury busses only, he added.

"Though GSRTC's efforts have been welcomed by the general public, they will take at least ten years to compete with the kind of business model we follow. They still require to attain professionalism and right attitude in providing personalised services like making a point to give final call to the passenger for confirmation, " he said.

Moreover, e-tracking and mobile services have been introduced in our business since way back. Its our professionalism and services which attracts our customers, Bavariya added.

Currently, there are 1,000 plus private buses shuttling to and fro on a daily basis from Rajkot to district headquarters of Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Kutch (Bhuj).

"With GSRTC introducing monthly pass system for up-downers, our business in Morbi, Jetpur, Gondal, Wankaner, Amreli, Dhoraji, Upleta, Jasdan, Jamnagar, Surendranagar and Junagadh, have suffered a lot, as these destinations are in proximity of 100 to 125 km from Rajkot. These up-downer customers constitute 15 to 18 per cent of our business," said Mahavirsinh Jadeja of Ashapura Travels.

Our fare charges are lower by Rs 5 to 7 per ticket as compared to GSRTC, therefore passengers still prefer to travel with us, he added. he added.

Talking to Business Standard, G L Aloria, MD of GSRTC, said, "We have made marginal business in last few months, which itself indicates that passengers have started diverting to us from private operators and we are hopeful of introducing novel services as and when time demands."

GSRTC has experienced an upward scale in their revenues over the previous years. With the introduction of new buses, our service quality has shot up drastically. Friendly approach towards our customers have become a compulsive disciplinary attribute of GSRTC, which has not only helped in re-positioning the ST bus as a brand but has equally indicated increase in our business since October 2005, said Aloria.

"In January 2006, we made a business of Rs 8 crore plus over the previous year. Despite haveing less days in February, we ended with Rs 7.25 crore of sales, added Aloria.