Bhubaneswar: The government has decided to introduce Mo Bus services in 20 more routes as it has elicited a tremendous public response.
Attending a review meeting of the transportation scenario in the Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Khurda region and Mo Bus services, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Pratap Jena, said the service has substantially reduced pollution as many people have given up personal vehicles.
Jena said the government is providing a subsidy of Rs 55 crore for operating the service and that 50 electric buses will run shortly on city routes. The Minister said the number of passengers will touch a lakh by year-end.
The Mo Bus service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik November 6, 2018, and it is operated by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) Department.
CRUT had recently launched a monthly pass to improve services to non-tech savvy daily passengers.
The buses are equipped with high tech facilities like WiFi which has attracted passengers accustomed to smart services. They are plying on 20 routes in the twin cities, the release said. Of its strength of 200-buses, some are air-conditioned to cater to the needs of upmarket passengers.
Using the Mo Bus App, passengers can track buses and book tickets online. The authorities have issued passes like the Bhubaneswar Pass, Magic Pass and Route Pass for the convenience of passengers, it added.