City expands bus fleet in preparation for new bus rapid transit system.
Source: EMBARQ
The city of Indore added 63 modern, comfortable buses to its public transport fleet—an important step towards launching its new bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
The new vehicles joined the existing fleet of 103 buses operated by Atal Indore City Transport Services Ltd (AICTSL), an agency that was established in December 2005 with the objective of developing a support system for improving transport infrastructure in Indore. By mid-2011, 62 more buses will be added to the fleet.
New features of the buses include GPS tracking, passenger information systems, color-coded buses and special accommodations for women.
Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh was one of the chief guests who attended the launch event on February 19.
The buses were funded by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), a nationwide initiative launched by the central government in December 2005 to modernize 63 Indian cities with heavy investments in infrastructure and governance, totaling more than $20 billion over 7 years. Under the JnNURM, the Central Government announced financial assistance for fleet expansion of urban public bus service systems and other sustainable development in select cities, including Indore.
Indore received one-time assistance funding to procure 175 buses. Of these, 125 will be used for the city bus service, and the remaining 50 will be used for the new BRT system, which is expected to launch with a pilot corridor on AB Road by mid-2012.
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