Surat makes city buses free for construction workers, free passes issues

Surat, India (Urban Transport News):  In a unique initiative, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Shramyogi Kalyan Board (SKB) have jointly launched a scheme where the construction workers have been provided with free yearly passes for travelling from one destination to other destination across the city on Saturday. Now the construction workers will be able to travel in the city buses and BRTS free-of-cost.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has handed over bus passes to three beneficiaries on Saturday. The SKB will bear 80% of the travel cost, while the rest will be borne by the SMC.

Kamlesh Naik, Assistant Commissioner (BRTS Cell) said:

We have received registration of 978 construction workers under the free transportation scheme. A total of 998 labourers applied for the scheme with the Shramyogi Kalyan Board across the state and Surat has the highest numbers of beneficiaries.

He said that the expenditure per passenger will be Rs 1,400 in a year. The workers will have to show the passes to the conductors of the city buses and that they can travel multiple times from one destination to another destination.

The BRTS Cell is responsible for the development and operation of the BRT System for Surat city. Now SMC is planning an integrated transit system comprising of BRTS, regular urban bus, regional bus, and regional rail are envisaged to deliver the feeder services to meet the needs of the people of Surat.

Surat has the largest BRTS network in India with the coverage of a 108 km route.

This scheme is very much appreciated by the Labour Unions and they are seeking similar facilities in other parts of the country.