The All Goa Private Bus Operators Association (AGPBOA) asserts that the government should refrain from imposing its directive on private bus operators regarding the adoption of Electric Vehicle (EV) buses and instead permit them to continue operating their current fleet.
Discussions on this matter transpired during a meeting convened at the Kadamba Plateau in Chimbel, addressing the government's proposal to introduce EV buses on four designated Smart City routes, alongside addressing additional challenges encountered by private bus operators statewide.
AGPBOA's general secretary, Sudip Tamankar, emphasized that while the Supreme Court has deemed BS VI buses as environmentally friendly, the association is prepared to transition to BS VI certified vehicles. However, Tamankar stressed the necessity for the government to reinstate the bus replacement program with augmented subsidy provisions to facilitate this transition effectively.
Tamankar further disclosed that a meeting involving the Chief Minister, Smart City officials, Transport Department representatives, and a delegation of private bus operators is scheduled for May 9, where deliberations on this issue will ensue.
Expressing hope for a favorable resolution, Tamankar highlighted the potential ramifications for the 70 bus operators servicing the four Smart City routes should the government proceed with its EV bus mandate. He also underscored the association's contingency plans should their appeal to the government go unheeded.
In addition to the EV bus mandate, Tamankar addressed ancillary concerns discussed during the meeting, such as the imposition of a daily Rs 50 fee following the expiration of fitness certificates, signaling the multifaceted challenges confronting private bus operators in Goa.
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