Earlier this month, Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) pioneered a new way of transport with the launch of simple travel app designed to help commuters. The new mobile app will enable public to access in advance, real- time information on journey times and details, rates or prices, delays and disruptions.
“DRUKtransport app” is a mobile application developed by the ICT division of the Ministry of Information and Communications. Some of the features will include call-in taxi services, tracking buses, and flight display information system. The app, which is currently available only on android phones, is designed for safer commuting.
“We will be making the app user friendly so that people feel safer using this app that they know where their family members are travelling through using this app because this app can track the location,” said Tshering Dendup, the Senior (Sr) ICT Officer with MoIC. “It can also capture the profile of the bus driver, taxi driver, and it is safer; and we have women travelling and working late, so it will also be safer for them.”
The ICT division, to begin with, has introduced a taxi fare chart on the DRUKtransport since there were complaints from the public on the exorbitant fares charged by taxi drivers.
“The taxi charge is as per the approved rate of RSTA. And as per the authority, they have already informed the taxi drivers to maintain a copy of chart in the taxi so that they charge the passengers accordingly. I think this is not followed. So there is a lot of confusion regarding the charge and this charge actually is based on fuel price, wear and tear cost,” added the Sr. ICT Officer.
The app is available on Google playstore for android devices. However, the users will need to update the app to get the latest rates. Additionally, users can lodge a complaint on being overcharged through mail service by writing down taxi number. Action will be taken by the concern authority, accordingly. The office said they plan to make the app bilingual and publish on the IOS devices.
