(a) whether the Government is aware that lack of public transport facilities has led to increase in the use of two wheelers;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to improve the public transport facilities; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to encourage the commuters to use public transport?
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) The availability of public transport in the country is low as compared to other countries. Section 88A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for formulation of schemes for national, multimodal and inter-State transportation of goods or passengers for the purposes of the increase in the accessibility and mobility of people, rural transport and last mile connectivity etc. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways vide notification S.O. 5333(E) dated 18th October, 2018 has also granted exemption to the Battery Operated Transport Vehicles from requirement of permits.
State Governments provide public road transport services through State Road Transport Undertakings (SRTUs) and other entities in respective State/UT and on interstate routes. Further, the Ministry is also implementing a scheme namely, ‘Strengthening of Public Transport System’ and ‘Development of Bus Ports on BoT/HAM basis’. The schemes provide for financial assistance to States for introduction of information technology solutions in public transport system and also for setting up Integrated Bus Ports to facilitate seamless mobility of passengers.
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