Public transport unions ordered to improve services in Dehradun within 10 days
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Stating that the condition of local public transport vehicles in Dehradun district is poor, the regional transport officer (Administration) of Dehradun division Sandeep Saini directed all public transport unions and service providers to improve the situation within 10 days or face strict action. He issued the directive during a meeting held at the RTO office on Monday with representatives of various transport services, including city bus services on the Doiwala route, Vikram Jankalyan Sewa Samiti and vehicles operating on the Maldevta route. Saini informed that weekly feedback from government personnel using public transport indicates serious issues, such as overcrowding, absence of reserved seats for women and inappropriate behaviour by drivers. He instructed all transport unions to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and compliant with passenger capacity norms within the given timeline. He also asked the representatives to inform all vehicle owners and drivers under their organisations to reserve seats for women and behave properly with passengers. Saini warned that after 10 days, a team of the assistant divisional transport officer (ARTO) and technical inspectors will begin vehicle inspections. Any vehicle found in violation will have its fitness certificate cancelled immediately. The Transport department will also continue monitoring public transport usage to ensure compliance. If violations are found, the department will initiate strict enforcement actions against vehicle owners, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the lack of efficient and convenient public transport is considered to be a major reason for the traffic woes faced in the provisional State capital.
