Multimodal transport hubs, double-decker buses in AMTS budget for 2024-25

Ahmedabad: The draft budget for the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) was presented today. Transport Manager Arjav Shah presented the draft budget of Rs. 641 crores for the year 2024-25.

As per the budget, the construction of multimodal transport hubs has been proposed at Memnagar, Akhbarnagar, and RTO Depot to enhance AMTS, BRTS, and Metro connectivity for the citizens. After several years, double-decker AMTS buses will once again be seen on the roads of Ahmedabad. Seven double-decker electric AC buses will be introduced in the first phase, with one bus possibly starting tomorrow on Wednesday.

In the second phase, AMTS buses will run on the 42 km route of the ring road around the city. Currently, around 4.30 lakh passengers travel on AMTS buses, and it is estimated that there will be six lakh passengers by next year.

Shah stated that around 100 new AC buses will be operational on Ahmedabad roads starting this March. At present, buses run on 139 routes. AMTS buses will be introduced on 11 more routes, making a total of 150 routes.

It is also learnt that a Public Information System (PIS) will be installed at each bus terminus to provide information to AMTS bus passengers. Additionally, a QR code will be placed on each bus stand to inform travelers about bus routes, ensuring that all travelers have access to bus information.

In the budget for the year 2024-25, Rs. 635 crore has been allocated towards expenses such as salary, pension, and establishment expenses. The current year’s debt of AMTS has reached Rs. 4223 crore. Last year, the debt was 3870 crores, indicating an increase of Rs. 353 crores this year. The AMTS will seek a loan of Rs. 410 crore from AMC this year. The expected revenue in the budget is around Rs. 227 crore through various advertisements and passenger tickets. The revenue from passenger tickets and concession passes is estimated to be Rs. 138 crore and Rs. 23 crore, respectively.

The draft budget of Rs. 641 crores presented by Transport Manager Arjav Shah will undergo amendments, and the final budget, expected to be around Rs. 655 crore, will be presented in the coming days. DeshGujarat