Thimphu Thromde is planning to start the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system within the next three years to improve the public transport system in the city. It is also expected to ease the growing traffic congestion in the capital.
BRT System is a bus-based public transport system that delivers fast, comfortable and cost-effective services.
Through the project, a four-lane expressway will be developed from Ngabi Rongchu in the South to Dechencholing in North Thimphu.
In the BRT system, two-lane of the road will be particularly designated for buses, which will help in reaching their designation on time and reduce traffic congestion.
As part of the project, the thromde is currently working to develop four-lane road between Jungshina to Taba with financial support from the World Bank.
“Right now, we don’t have the four-lane road from India House in Jungshina to the old high court. It must be around 3 kilometres. We have to widen this stretch for the project,” Kinlay Dorjee, the Thimpu Thrompon, said.
With the BRT system, the thrompon said, the waiting time for the city buses will also be reduced, which will encourage more people to use public transport.
“As per the plan, we will start 34 buses along that expressway. If 17 busses are travelling towards the north, another 17 will travel southwards. People will then have to wait for only about ten minutes,” Thrompon said.
Meanwhile, Thromde and Bhutan Post will purchase about 40 additional buses worth over Nu 200 M and they are also planning to improve the bus stops at the same time.
