The Meghalaya government has found it difficult to get schools in Shillong onboard with its plans to introduce a bus service for children in order to reduce some of the terrible traffic jams that plague the state capital during term time.
Replying to a question by Nongthymmai MLA Charles Pyngrope, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said in the Assembly today that Rs 11.30 crore was earmarked by the government for the Sustainable Transport and Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS) pilot project, which aims to put 30 buses on Shillong’s roads for school duty. Of this amount, only Rs 17 lakh has been spent.
However, this model was criticised by the opposition in the Assembly as they pointed out that a similar model is being used for Shillong’s public buses – whereby societies have been given charge of the vehicles. Oft-repeated criticism of the service includes the lack of uniformed drivers and conductors, non-issuance of tickets, poor maintenance of the buses, poor discipline by drivers and conductors and inconsistent service timings and fares.
Sangma said that, before the project was launched, the government had undertaken consultations with all concerned stakeholders, conducted surveys and held more than 100 meetings.
The government chose this model, whereby a society would run the bus service, as the best way to achieve its objective so that running the buses would not be the “headache” of the schools.
At present, the majority of students commuting to Laitumkhrah and Dhanketi – 60 percent or 27,000 – do so through private transportation, the CM informed.
Pyngrope held up BK Bajoria School as a model as it has been running its own bus service for students for years now.
Sangma said that many other schools are reluctant to look after the buses themselves as they felt that their raison d’etre is to teach, not transport.
If the pilot project works out, with the schools working with the society, then the government may make school buses mandatory across the city.
As the buses will not be run by the government or by the schools, the CM said that there will be strict safety and security measures in place, as this was a key area of concern for parents. This will include GPS tracking, in-bus CCTVs and appropriate training.
So far there are 15 schools that have tied up with the government for the STEM bus service, all of which are in Dhanketi and Laitumkhrah.
