TICKET MACHINES TO BE INSTALLED TO EASE COMMUTERS

PANJIM: Standing in long queues to purchase tickets for shuttle bus service could be a thing of the past as the Kadamba Transport Corporation has proposed to install ticket vending machines in the state. The proposal could materialise by early next year.

Confirming the reports that the KTC would go ahead with installing automated machines, the KTC managing director, Mr Venancio Furtado said, “We are definitely going to have ticket vending machines in the state. However, it (beginning of the initiative) may take some time. We are holding talks with various companies offering the machines so that we can have the best.”

Throwing light on how ticket vending machines will function, the transport director, Mr Arun Dessai informed that the vending machines would operate like an automated teller machine which would be fed with fare table, destination, and connected to a self-printing machine. He said the commuter would have to punch the starting point to his or her destination.

A ticket will be generated giving the distance covered, fare and date which would have to be given to the conductor for a proper accounting of trip summary. This is aimed at preventing pilferage of revenue.

Mr Furtado said the Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune, has given the corporation a list of 12 companies of which two have already made presentations, while the corporation is going through presentations of other companies before making a final decision and floating a tender. He said that each company has something different to offer and hence the corporation would have a close look at what each company has to offer before choosing the best.

Goa would receive Rs 1.5 crore from the Union government for putting up the vending machines while the state government would have to shell out an equal amount for the project, Mr Dessai said. He said the Centre has been encouraging state governments in the country to promote use of automated ticket vending machines, which prompted the state to avail of the scheme.

Recently, a team of CIRT experts was in Goa to study the modality of installing machines and held talks with officials of the KTC and the transport department.

The cost of each automated machine is around Rs 3500 to Rs 8000.

Highly placed sources on condition of anonymity informed that the move, once it becomes a reality, would replace manual ticketing providing relief to thousands of commuters travelling by the KTC, especially its shuttle bus service.

Mr Furtado said the corporation is identifying the number of stops on routes where the ticket vending machines could be installed. (NT)