The grid system of the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has failed to emerge as a permanent mode of transport for thousands of commuters as it has failed to deliver. The increasing number of vehicles confirms public dissatisfaction with the bus service.

In sectors on the periphery, buses are neither on time nor do these ply frequently. The administration has failed to reduce the load of traffic on city roads which are bursting at the seams.

Approximately seven lakh vehicles are registered with the State Transport Authority (STA) and officials confirm new registrations between 120 and 140 everyday.

These figures do not include vehicles coming from Panchkula and Mohali to the city. The strength of about 170 buses does not quite match the level of a regular and faster grid system.

A random survey of the roads revealed that residents of all sectors bordering Mohali, including 43, 44, 45, 45, 46 and 48, are not really tuned into the grid system.

Rakesh Sharma, a Punjab government employee, said: “The bus route from my house in Sector 45 to the office is meandering. I prefer to take my motorcycle instead. Also, autorickshaws are available for just Rs 5 and go to the heart of the city in Sector 17 which houses a majority of government offices. The CTU needs to work on certain routes.”

Residents of northern sectors, particularly 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15, are also not into the bus scene. Mehar Das Gupta of Sector 11 said: “A majority of residents in our area use their own vehicles and getting passengers for buses will not be easy. I have a car, my sons also have their own vehicles and so do both my daughters-in-law.”

Tek Chand, a resident of Sector 37, said the grid system needed to be overhauled because straight routes were out of the way for residents in the other corner of the same sector.

Students and employees travelling from Sectors 29 and 30 towards Madhya Marg complain of irregular bus timings.

The grid system, however, has delivered the desired results on certain straight roads, particularly Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg.

Raj Kumar, secretary of the Chandigarh Government Transport Workers Union, said the CTU buses on the periphery were not delivering and lesser frequency was, in a way, responsible for fewer passengers. “We are also facing a shortage of buses. Passengers want assured and faster transportation service before they decide to change their mode of transport,” he said.

ML Sharma, CTU director, said: “A high-level meeting would be held soon to plug all loopholes. The CTU has purchased 100 more buses that will be functional by October.”

Source: The Tribune