Panaji: The Kadamba Transport Corporation’s plans to expand interstate bus services, particularly towards Karnataka, have been delayed due to a shortage of drivers and conductors. Newly launched 53-seater semi-luxury buses are currently operating on existing intra-state shuttle routes as the corporation works on recruitment and bus scheduling.“The recruitment process for drivers and conductors is currently under way, and the manpower shortage will be addressed before Ganesh Chaturthi. This will allow the interstate bus expansion plans back on track,” an official said.TOI had reported earlier that ten 53-seater semi-luxury buses were inducted into the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTC) fleet two weeks ago. Chief minister Pramod Sawant, transport minister Mauvin Godinho and KTC chairperson Ulhas Tuyekar flagged off the new buses at the Panaji bus terminus.However, the buses have not yet been allotted dedicated schedules for the proposed long-distance routes because there are not enough drivers and conductors available to operate them.The newly introduced buses were intended for interstate services, primarily towards Karnataka owing to strong passenger demand and better revenue potential on those routes.According to the KTC, there is significant passenger movement from areas including Vasco da Gama, Ponda and Mapusa towards destinations in the neighbouring state.“Maharashtra already has sufficient buses of MSRTC, so we don’t have many routes there,” the official said.With recruitment underway, the department hopes to resolve the driver and conductor shortage in time to begin assigning schedules to the new buses and to restart some of the previously discontinued Karnataka services.“In Karnataka, Belagavi is the most popular destination, however, we are also examining the possibility of restarting several routes that we had operated in the past, including services towards Chikodi, Haveri and other destinations.”They had previously discontinued several interstate services due to the inadequate number of buses suitable for long-distance interstate operations.
