STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The reaction of Guwahati city bus commuters to the proposed introduction of an e-ticket system in city buses in Guwahati is mixed.
A section of city bus commuters feels that the e-ticket system will benefit the city bus owners but not the commuters. All commuters are not conscious of e-tickets. In such a situation, one cannot rule out the possibility of city staff (conductors) charging excess amounts as fares from a section of travellers. The success of the new system depends on awareness among all strata of commuters.
Proper issuance of tickets charging genuine fares, not stopping buses more than a minute at each stop, and buses staying away from overtaking other buses at bus stops risking the lives of commuters are prerequisites for hassle-free city travelling. The RTA (Regional Transport Authority) needs to keep a close watch on such issues. Introducing e-tickets or anything of high technology in a city where all commuters are not techie something sounding odd.
They also say that it is a proven fact that new systems come in the plying of city buses only to go after a span of time. While introducing an e-ticket system, the authority needs to see if city bus commuters in the state are technically sound. Even a section of city bus staff will feel ill at ease in using e-tickets for passengers. The authority needs to see everything carefully and weigh all options to provide city bus commuters with hassle-free travelling, instead of introducing a new system in haste.
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