Mumbai: The state govt on Monday formed a technical group and study group to study and then make recommendations for launching an integrated bus transport service for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The study group will prepare an integrated bus transport plan for MMR, which will include bus route coordination, timetable coordination, technology integration and infrastructure sharing among all the Public Transport Operators (PTOs) in MMR, and a plan for the implementation of uniform procedures for all the PTOs in MMR. A Govt Resolution (GR) said the technical and study groups are being established to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a plan. The technical group is led by Assistant General Manager (Transport and Operations) of BEST and has transport managers of all other PTOs in MMR, while the study group is headed by BEST GM Sonia Sethi and has all other municipal commissioners of MMR as members.“The technical group should study the coordination of the bus route network, coordination of service schedules, technology integration and infrastructure sharing among all transport managers and submit a coordination plan to the govt by July 15. They will propose the route formulation after conducting a comprehensive study. Evaluate the timetables compatible with all transport managers (PTOs) in MMR. Create a roadmap for technology integration for all transport managers. To suggest infrastructure partnership solutions for all PTOs in MMR. Harmonisation of fares for inter-city/inter-jurisdiction trips as well as suggesting fares for combined trips between more than one PTOs and suggesting a method for sharing these fares,” the GR stated.The technical committee will submit its report to the study group. “The study group shall submit a proposal to the govt by July 31 after discussing, deliberating and considering the recommendations made by the technical group on a uniform and harmonised fare structure for all PTOs. To ensure a fare structure by evaluating and streamlining the current fare structure to enhance passenger convenience. To ensure a formula for revenue sharing under the ‘telescopic fare’ system (fare that decreases in stages with distance), a shared ticketing system with a view to improving the cost-effectiveness of travel for long-distance travel in MMR. It will decide on a revenue-sharing mechanism and reconciliation procedure for inter-city/inter-jurisdictional trips,” the GR stated.“NITI Aayog has come up with a concept to develop city-regions as Growth Hubs (G-HUB). Through G-HUB, an economic growth policy is being prepared for selected regions across the country and a roadmap is being prepared for the implementation of that policy. In this, MMR has been selected as the pilot city-region. To review the MMR Economic Master Plan, a Coordination Committee has been constituted under Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal. A Growth Hub Governing Board has been established under chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to give final approval to the MMR Economic Master Plan and to guide the Growth Hub Coordination Committee. As per the directions given by the Growth Hub Governing Board, a Task Force has been constituted for the preparation of an integrated bus transportation plan for MMR,” officials said.
