Kadamba Transport Corporation

Kadamba Transport Corporation is a Government of Goa road transport undertaking. It was set up in 1980 by the Congress government, then headed by Pratapsing Rane. Goa has long dependent on privatised bus-transport, and the blue-and-red-and-white Kadamba buses are an exception to this rule. While the KTC has provided transport and connectivity to Goa's main towns and rural hinterland, it has also, in recent years, faced charges of mismanagement, politicisation and corruption in some of its deals.

"Safe, reliable"

Kadamba Transport Corporation was created to provide "safe, reliable, time-saving, efficient, comfortable and affordable" services for Goa's multitude. (See KTC's citizens' charter http://www.goagovt.nic.in/charter/files/KTC/charter.pdf ) To a large extent, it is seen as having accomplished this objective, although the cost for providing this service has been substantial. It is heavily subsidized by the government and is reportedly in the red, like most of India's state run road transport undertakings.

Operates bus stands

The KTC operates the bus stands (main bus stops or station) in almost all of Goa's cities and towns. Their services cover the length and breadth of Goa today. The ticket prices are reasonable and for intra-Goa travel are purchased on the bus itself from the on board bus conductor. These buses tend to be packed with passengers during peak hours and there are some non-stop "shuttle" mini-bus services as well, connecting cities like Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Ponda. Like the other bus services in Goa, they have special rates for children, students and senior citizens. It functions as the school bus during school hours.

Shuttle services

KTC provides point-to-point services through what it calls "mini/midi buses" connecting the major commercial towns like Panjim, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa, Ponda, Curchorem. These services have less waiting time and only seating passengers with additional facility of drop into the city during office timing i.e. up to 10 a.m in the morning.

The fare for these services (which gets revised) are as under

* Panjim to Margao and viceversa Rs 19.00
* Panjim to Vasco and viceversa Rs 18.00
* Panjim to Mapusa and viceversa Rs 8.00
* Margao to Curchorem and viceversa Rs 11.00
* Panjim to Ponda and viceversa Rs.15.00
* Margao to Vasco and viceversa Rs 15.00

Pilgrimage services

KTC offers its Ashtavinayaka Tours, by air-conditioned buses, during the weekends. The Chintamani of the thevur, Mayureshwar of Morgao, Sidhivinayak of Sidhtek, Mahaganpati of Rangao, Vighneshawar of Ozar, Girijatmak of Lenyadri, Varadvinayak of Mahad, Balleishwar of Pali are among the places covered. The tour covers 1600 km and costs Rs 2500 per person. Booking can be done at booking offices at bus-stands or at depots of the KTC.

Valankanni pilgrimages to the shrine at Nagapattam in Tamil Nadu are also conducted by KTC during the novena and feast. Booking needs to be done in advance.

School services

KTC also operates special services for schools, at their convenience and needs. The services are operated on the monthly passes issued to the students based on the amount collected by the school management. The services are offered to the following schools:

* Our Lady of Rosary High School Donapaula
* Sharada Mandir High School Miramar
* Kendriya vidhyalaya I.N.S.Mandovi Verem
* Hegdewar High School Panaji
* Sanjay School Porvorim
* Vidhya Prabhodini High school Porvorim
* St. Joseph High School Verna
* Regina Mundi High School Vasco
* St.Theresa High School Vasco
* Don Bosco High School Netravali
* Almeida High School, Ponda

For travel however, it is highly recommended that tickets be purchased reasonably well in advance especially during the summer and winter rush and the tourist seasons. This is in spite of special services running during these times.

Hiring of buses

KTC also hires out its air-conditioned Volvo, luxury, semi-luxury, mini-bus and air-conditioned mini-bus vehicles on both "round contract" and "drop contract" at varying rates. Students can access these services, at a concessional rate of two rupees less per kilometre. Minimum amount charged for the trip varies, depending on the class and size of the vehicle.

Financial structure

Official sources (KTC, citizen's charter, 2007) say the entire share capital of the company -- totalling Rs 299 million -- is held by the Government of Goa. The capital has been invested to build infrastructure -- like constructing depots, bus-stands, central workshops, and acquire buses.

432 vehicles, 87,690 km

Currently, KTC has 432 vehicles. It operates 87,690 kilometres per day, but concedes that it is "unable to meet the entire demand of public transport". It says that the liberalisation policy and the amendment in the Indian Motor Vehicles Act 1988 together with the "increasing input cost in terms of material and labour" has had a "direct impact" on the KTC's cost of operation.

References

* [http://www.GoaCentral.com Goa Central.com]