A high-level committee, chaired by Principal Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, Usha Padhee, convened today at the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) office to review the operations of the Ama Bus service.
The meeting prioritised road safety, passenger convenience, driver skill enhancement, and the transition to electric mobility.
Attended by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, CRUT Managing Director Sanjay Biswal, DCP of Commissionerate Police, and Traffic DCP, the committee stressed the need for heightened road safety amid rising heavy vehicle traffic. Officials noted that close monitoring of Ama Bus speed limits during the first two weeks of January revealed no violations.
Discussions also covered improved bus stand management, better passenger amenities, and systematic operational oversight.
To bolster driver training, e-buses will be provided to the Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) for daily practical sessions on the premises. Multi-charging infrastructure is planned at Chhatia, Berhampur, and Bonai (Sundargarh), which will serve private EVs, government vehicles, and offer public four-wheeler charging facilities.
A new quarterly incentive scheme for bus captains and guides will launch on January 26, rewarding safe driving and overall performance.
Starting in February, citizens will be invited to share suggestions on routes and services via social media platforms.
Driver training duration has been extended from three to five days, with greater emphasis on psychometric tests, lane discipline, inhibitors, and self-assessment. Simulators will also be introduced for specialised e-bus training.
In a move towards sustainability and safety, 30 older BPTSL buses exceeding 1.5 lakh kilometres will be scrapped and replaced with small e-buses in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to enhance last-mile connectivity.
A standing high-level committee, again chaired by Principal Secretary Usha Padhee, has been formed to review the Ama Bus operations every 15 days for ongoing improvements.
