Title - New buses for Shimla

Shimla : To save tourists from being fleeced by taxi owners, the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) is launching a new scheme wherein anybody can travel the whole day in government buses on the purchase of a Rs 20 ticket.Addressing a press conference here today, Transport Minister GS Bali said the government also proposed to start two air-conditioned deluxe buses between Kalka and Shimla for those travelling by the Shatabdi Express. "The deluxe buses will provide a direct link, both to locals as well as tourists, between Kalka and Shimla and save them from being fleeced by taxi owners," he said.Bali said there was a proposal to start an AC deluxe bus in Shimla town, in which people could travel by purchasing a Rs 400 monthly pass or buy a onetime ticket of minimum Rs 20. "Since this bus will not be crowded, those going to work can travel by comfortably," he said. He added that this would also save people from the hardship of searching for a parking place for their vehicle.He said the HRTC proposed to buy 10 new buses for Shimla. The minimum fare in these buses would be Rs 5. "We also propose to buy five new buses for the Shimla-Solan route at a fare of Rs 40 and 10 for Shimla-Bilaspur and Shimla-Sirmour routes," he announced.Bali also announced that 250 new bus routes would be issued to create better transportation facility in rural and remote areas. "Preference will be given to war widows and unemployed youth in the grant of permits on these routes," he said.

He also cautioned that strict action would be taken against drivers and conductors against whom complaints had been received with regard to their bad behaviour. He added that the government would ensure that all drivers and conductors wore uniform and name plates while on duty.