The city bus service introduced last month for the students of Yangchenphug and Lungtenzampa schools has proved to be an instant hit with more students showing interests in using the bus service.
The number of students who expressed their interests for the bus service increased to over one thousand from 450 in just one month after its introduction.
The Bhutan Post and Thimphu Thromde initiated the service to ease traffic congestion, reduce pollution and also for the safety of students.
Thinley Zangmo Sherpa, a student of Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School said the bus service has helped them get to school on time.
Chimi Droji, also a student from the same school, said the rate for service is reasonable. “I come from Lungtenphu and it is difficult to get taxi sometimes,” he said. “Also, they charge very high and we cannot afford to use them all the time.”
The current fleet of 14 buses deployed to provide the service is not enough to meet the rising demand. The Bhutan Post City Bus Service says it has no budget to acquire additional buses for now.
“But given the overwhelming demand for the bus service by the students and teachers, we have proposed to the government for additional buses in 12th Five Year Plan,” said Sonam Dhendup, the Director of the City Bus Service.
Thimphu Thromde, too, has requested the government and donors to provide additional buses to expand the service.
