Improving public transport service is the most effective solution to the growing traffic congestion in Thimphu. This was recommended during a high-level Transport Coordination meeting convened in the capital, yesterday.
Representatives from the Works and Human Settlement ministry, Information and Communications ministry and other relevant stakeholders took part in the meeting.
As of now, city bus service operates from 6:30 AM to 6.30 PM every day. But this, according to the ADB consultant is not adequate. Along with the fleet of city buses, the frequency of its service needs to be extended.
The city bus service of Bhutan Post today has 47 buses rendering its service in the capital.
While they are planning to propose for procurement of additional city buses, there are no plans to extend the city bus timing.
“With the growing number of commuters, we have lot of demand for transport especially during the peak hours which starts from 7:30 in the morning till 8:30 and then 4:30 till 5:30 in the evening. So we feel that we should have more buses in future to cater to the demand for a transport in Thimphu,” said Sonam Dendup, Director of City Bus Service.
Findings of the consultant show that last year, the number of new private vehicles in Thimphu region increased by 11 percent.
Today, according to the Road Safety and Transport Authority, of the 86981 vehicles in the country, 44982 are in Thimphu region.
The Public Transport Specialist and ADB Consultant, Gordon K Neilson said this is a rapid increase and that the road system is not capable of supporting the growing number of cars and taxis. Therefore, a solution to the problem, he said is to have “better public transport system like buses so that people might be attracted to use buses rather than cars or taxis.”
Other recommendations to decongest traffic include allocation of road space for bicycles and reduction or cancellation of parking along the Norzin Lam.
Such coordination meeting was first held in April, last year.
