GREATER NOIDA: A new bus service, ‘Yamuna Sarthi’, was flagged off on Friday connecting Noida, Greater Noida and the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) areas. Rama Raman, chairperson of the three Authorities, and Santosh Yadav, CEO, YEIDA, undertook the maiden journey on the first bus.
“Improving connectivity between the three areas is our top priority. The bus service will go a long way in addressing the transportation needs. We will augment the service to further improve connectivity between the three places,” said Rama Raman. The first ticket was bought by Raman.
Twelve CNG-run semi-low-floor buses, ferrying 50 passengers each, will run at an interval of half an hour on designated routes. Fares will range from Rs 5 to 45 depending on the distance as fixed by UPSRTC. Commuters can avail themselves of the service between 7am and 7pm. Initially seven buses will be introduced. The number of buses might be increased depending on the number of commuters.
“The buses are fitted with GPS, which will enable control over their speed and location. Student passes will also be issued on the routes,” Yadav said.
The bus service will operate between Noida’s Botanical Garden Metro station and Sector 22D in YEIDA area via Dankaur. According to the plan, the buses will traverse in a circular route covering 13 bus stops, including Botanical Garden Metro station, Great India Place Mall, Amity University, ATS Village in Sector 93A, KPMG, Kondli, Pari Chowk, Parasvnath P3, YEIDA office, Gautam Budh University, Galgotia University, Dankaur, Sector 22D in YEIDA area and vice versa.
The cost of procuring, maintaining and operating the buses will be borne by the SPV. YEIDA has incurred no cost on the project but will build bus shelters on the routes
