Page 25 - TT mag April 2024 Digital Edition

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Another source of inconvenience funding to operate the on-demand
is payments for bus tickets in cash services which were running under
when people are switching to a loss. Approval to increase bus
digital methods. Systems that have fares to compensate the additional
enabled digital payment growth in financial burden and financial
other segments are falling short assistance to increase the fleet
of delivering the same outcomes were other expectations from the
for buses. AFCS and an Electronic state government, he said.
Ticket Issuing Machine (ETIM) are “While there is a policy in place
being adopted as the first step for new EV buses, the older
towards digitisation. ones on the road continue to be
Government policies can help bereft of automated systems as
push technology adoption in it is difficult to retrofit running GLOBALLY, INDIA
buses. The AIS-140 mandates buses with wiring,” added Vinay IS MUCH AHEAD OF
that all public transport vehicles Jain. “ITS is provided only to OTHER COUNTRIES IN
be equipped with a GPS tracking the OE as wiring is done at the
device. This makes the whole fleet manufacturing stage. Wireless IMPLEMENTING ITS IN
trackable and improves safety, technology could be an option but BUSES. WE ARE BEHIND
said Bhavnani. Policies that push this again would need a mandate THE US IN AUTOMATED
EV adoption will help reduce from the government.” Bhavnani TICKETING, BUT WE
operational costs, offer better however stated that since many
bus quality, and accrue major technology solutions are brand- SHALL GET THERE TOO.
environmental benefits. Without agnostic, retrofitting older buses WE ARE GETTING INTO
a government mandate, digital with tap-in tap-out validators on PROVIDING END-TO-END
payments will not be adopted bus doors and fitting consoles to
for bus ticketing even though assist the driver in running the SOLUTIONS INCLUDING
it will help identify ridership bus independently without the SIGNAGES FOR BUSES,
behaviour. The data would help presence of conductors could be DEPOT MANAGEMENT,
make bus operators bankable and viable solutions.
eligible for loans, said Bhavnani. Bus stops are also seeing PLANNING AND
Ramachandran added that BMTC automation with Passenger SCHEDULING
would require the government Information System (PIS) display AND INVENTORY
to provide consistent viability gap boards being installed in major bus
MANAGEMENT. WE HAVE
ALSO STARTED GIVING
ETAS OF BUSES AT BUS
STOPS

– Vinay Jain

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