Thimphu still needs some more buses to improve its public transport (city bus) service quality. This is as per research on the quality of city bus services in Thimphu. The research states that although there are over 40 buses, there is still the problem of not having enough seats during rush hours. The research was recently published in the Bhutan Journal Of Management.
Transportation is considered an influential element in the economic development of a country. And with increasing population and private car ownership, improving public transport system is vital according to the research. Moreover, traffic congestion has already crept in Thimphu and is high time to enhance public transport services. The research after contacting many city bus commuters has stated that the existing number of buses is not enough for the commuters.
“The result showed that availability of scheduled maps at bus stops, ease of purchasing tickets, timetable of services driver attitude and responsiveness of city bus staff were all managed well. On the other hand, there were no enough buses and seats during rush hours. So this attributed to the need for further improvement and better management. The study recommends the need for more buses on the road to ply with dedicated lanes and routes. And there is the need for enhancement and revamp of the main city bus terminal,” said Tashi Losel, the researcher.
Commuters relying on city bus are also of the view that increasing the number of buses and frequency is must to improve the quality of public transport.
“We do not get a seat during rush hours. It is difficult for us to travel by taxi. It would be better if relevant agencies could increase the number of buses and also increase the frequency,” said Tashi Wangmo.
“We take the city bus to come to town and hospital as it is more convenient. It is also convenient for students. The bus fare is far reasonable compared to the taxi. This is the best transport mode for us. However, it is difficult to get seats if we arrive at the terminal late. So we have to travel standing,” added Thamraj Rai.
Meanwhile, the City Bus Service manager said 19 more buses will be added on the road in the next few years. They are also planning on a new route system.
“We plan to start a new route system whereby the trunk lane will be starting from the Babesa zero point to all the way up to Dechencholing. But it will not be going by the old route but it will be going by Junshina-Pamtsho to reach all the settlements. There will be around 17 buses plying on that road. And then we have the feeder routes, the subsidiary routes from where the small buses will cater to the main trunk lane. For the trunk lane buses not to go empty, the subsidiary lane buses will feed the main bus,” said Pasang Tshering, the Manager of the City Bus Service.
He also said for people not comfortable to use the services, the office is planning to make services more reliable and also increase the frequency of buses.
“As per the new plan, the buses will be plying on the route continuously. So that way, people do not have to come to the terminal. Because there are no adequate buses, what is happening now is that people rush to the terminal so that they can get a seat on the bus as the bus gets filled from the terminal itself. And then if you wait at a stop, you don’t get a seat on the bus,” he added.
While the research also recommended the need for a Bus Rapid Transit system in Thimphu with dedicated routes, the Thromde and the City Bus Service said there is no plan on the Bus Rapid Transit system for now. However, Thimphu Thromde officials said they are planning to do a study on it.
Kinley Dem
