PANAJI: The transport department in an attempt to revamp the public transport system is likely to adopt zero tolerance policy towards the overloading of buses, be they state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation buses or private buses, in a phased manner.

The director of transport, Mr Arun Dessai informed that the department is working on a strategy to stop overloading of the buses.
Mr Desai said that the department will initiate a drive so as to ascertain the exact number of buses required on a particular route and then adequate arrangements will be made by introducing new buses or issuing permits for the same.
He further said that as per the law, the buses are permitted to take only 25 per cent of the sitting capacity as standing, however, the buses are overloaded to such an extent, way beyond their capacity and added that the department will take up the matter in a phased manner to make the drive effective.
The director of transport said that the department will encourage the commuters to form a passengers association similar to that in Maharashtra and other parts of the country and stressed that such an association can collectively take the issues affecting the commuters to the government and ask for an action, be it on private buses or Kadamba Transport Coporation buses.
The department will tentatively take up the state-wide awareness programme to educate the public on avoiding crowded buses later this year through the media, while the enforcement over over-crowding is likely to be taken up early next year, he said.
Mr Dessai said that the proposal is just in its planning stage and the department is still working out on various aspects and the final plan of action will be decided shortly.
Meanwhile, the general secretary of the All Goa Bus Owners Association (AGBOA), Mr Sudip Tamankar giving the proposal a thumbs up said that the association has already started working towards the goal of zero tolerance towards overcrowding.
Mr Tamankar said the public co-operation is very important and has appealed to the public not to enter over-crowded buses as there are buses every 5 minutes on most routes.
However, he said that on some routes there is a shortage of buses and the transport department needs to identify such routes.
That apart, the association has formed a 25-member committee and will carry out surprise checks on various routes and buses found violating the rules will be reported to the transport department, which in turn will have to initiate action against the erring buses.
He further said that the transport department has the powers to take action against buses which carry passengers beyond the specified number  as it is in violation of the conditions of permit and added that the department will have to act uniformly without any bias towards a few who have the blessing of ministers, MLAs and the powerful babus.
The AGBOA general secretary also said that the bus owners have also directed the bus conductors to strictly follow the seat reservation for ladies, senior citizens, specially-abled people so as to improve the public transport in the state.