Seek inclusion of local languages in announcements
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 29: As the newly introduced Smart Buses ply on city roads, making the commute hassle-free and comfortable, people today complained about the lack of designated routes while demanding an increase in the number of buses.
Excelsior joined the commuters on one of the short trips in the city to witness the experience during which people talked about the difference these buses are making concerning public transportation within the city.
One of the commuters, Muhammad Afzal from Dalgate, termed the buses comfortable, stating that such an initiative would be potent in addressing the issue of traffic jams within the city.
“The Sumos and other vehicles usually end up creating traffic jams, but with the use of these buses, that issue can be addressed, and if more and more people start using the service, it will also decrease the number of vehicles on the road,” he said.
However, he mentioned that the routes of these buses are not well defined, noting that the timing is also irregular. “People do not know when and where they can find the bus; if that aspect is resolved, the service will make a great difference; the buses are good for a comfortable commute coupled with the necessary heating arrangements.”
It is to be noted here that around 100 buses were inaugurated in Srinagar by the LG Manoj Sinha under the Srinagar Smart City Limited earlier this month with an aim of reducing the pollution and making the travel hassle-free for the general public.
Another commuter, Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Chanapora-who said that he was using the bus for the first time-raised the issue of the fewer number of buses currently in use.
He said more buses must be brought in so that the majority of people can avail themselves of the benefits. “These buses are very comfortable, and I can feel the difference as I am traveling on one such bus for the first time, but these buses are quite less in number. All the people should be able to use the facility; for that, the number of buses must be increased,” he said.
He suggested that the buses must also be started in the old town of the city, while noting that before doing that, there is a need for improving the condition of the roads there. “All in all, the experience is best, seats are comfortable; leg space is enough, it is quite good and that needs to be appreciated.”
The commuters also raised the issue of the use of language in the announcements made during the commute, which happens in Hindi and English. They said that the use of Kashmiri and Urdu should have been made.
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