Transport Minister, Punjab, Aruna Chaudhary today ordered the departmental officers to provide better transportation facilities to the people so as to strengthen the transport sector besides adopting tough line against whims of private bus operators. The minister ordered the Secretaries of the Regional Transport Authorities to ensure the timely meeting of targets with regard to the collection of taxes and implementation of latest IT systems for issue of Registration Certificates and Driving Licences. The minister gave these directions while presiding over a meeting of all the departmental officers here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat.In a statement after the meeting, Mrs. Chaudhary said that the department would get the fleet of new 600 buses in 2 monthswhich will include 300 ordinary low fare buses of PUNBUS, 30 VOLVO Coaches and 250 ordinary buses of PRTC which are already underway. The minister further said that the process of buying the buses is already on and would be over soon. The minister also assured that the public transport system would be given more teeth and new routes would commence for the far flung and deprived regions.
The Transport Minister also added that the Secretaries of the Regional Transport Authorities have been given directions to put a stop to the arbitrariness of the private bus operators apart from ensuring that every bus operates according to an equitable time table. Besides, no bus should operate from the unauthorized stops or on routes without permits. The minister also elaborated that in order to stop such activities, it would be mandatory for the private buses to install Global Positioning System (GPS). Not only this but the new as well as the old government buses would also be equipped with the GPS technique. This would come in handy for the departmental officers to have full knowledge of the route taken by the buses.The Regional Transport Authorities have been instructed to work in letter and spirit to bring about the positive change. The minister also warned those indulging in violation of these orders with stern action.On the occasion Principal Secretary, Transport Mr. Sarvjit Singh, Director Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Additional State Transport Commissioner Mr. M.K. Arvind Kumar, Managing Director of PRTC Mr. Manjit Singh Narang and Secretaries of all Regional Transport Authorities were present.