The Palanpur division of the Gujarat State Transport Corporation (STC) has issued a total of 1.78 lakh passes across seven depots. These passes are aimed at students, daily commuters, rural women, and apprentices. This initiative began to ease the financial burden of travel for these groups, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Over 49,205 people have already benefited from these passes in just 15 days for the monthly travel fare. The STC provides various types of passes, including student passes, daily commuter passes, rural woman passes, and apprentice passes. This year, the Palanpur division has issued 63,819 monthly passes, 13,779 quarterly passes, and 1,008 semester passes for students, totalling 78,606 passes for students alone.
The remaining passes include 49,205 for daily commuters, 50,440 for rural women, and 643 for apprentices. This brings the total to 178,894 passes issued. The rural woman passes allow female passengers to travel without any fare, enhancing their access to education and work opportunities.
The STC has introduced four types of passes to compete with private transport services. By providing these passes, the corporation aims to offer relief in travel fares. The seven depots under the Palanpur division are located in Ambaji, Palanpur, Disa, Diyodar, Tharad, Radhanpur, and Siddhpur.
Officials from the STC have urged the public to take advantage of these passes. They have also announced that 118,898 monthly, 33,129 quarterly, and 26,867 semester passes have been issued, making travel more affordable for many.
These steps come as the state slowly recovers from the impact of COVID-19. The transport services had been halted during the lockdown, leading to significant losses for the STC. However, with schools and colleges reopening, the demand for bus services has increased. The STC has resumed regular services, operating around 2,600 trips daily, generating a revenue of 40 to 42 lakh INR.
The transport department has also started 570 bus schedules in rural routes to ensure that students and residents can travel safely and affordably. The STC officials have noted that 92% of the bus schedules have been restored, helping to meet the needs of the public in the Banas Kantha district.
As travel restrictions ease, the STC continues to adapt to the changing landscape. It remains committed to providing safe and reliable transport for all. Officials are also monitoring the situation closely to ensure compliance with health guidelines, especially regarding passenger limits in buses.
In conclusion, the issuance of 1.78 lakh passes by the Palanpur ST Corporation is a significant step towards supporting students and daily commuters. This initiative not only aims to ease financial burdens but also strives to promote public transport as a preferred mode of travel amidst the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
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