VIDEO OF AMTS MANAGEMENT ON ROUTE CHANGES IN AHMEDABAD
Article by Darshana Jamindar
Lifeline like oldest public transport system of Ahmedabad, AMTS, has shaken its passengers with unthoughful and sudden change and discountinuation of bus routes on which most passengers including students and passengers from middle class used to depend as an affordable transport for commuting within Ahmedabad city.
AMTS, Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service is backed by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. It is the oldest public transport service of Asia.
Students and other pass holders of AMTS have valid passes lasting for 6 months for which AMTS authorities have cancelled the routes and no decision has been taken on how to refund / encash money.
Protest by Ahmedabad passengers have made at many places. Sabotage at Chandkheda bus stop and stone throwing at Hatkeshwar bus stop has been noted , in addition to city wide road blockage of AMTS and BRTS buses by public.
Congress and passengers will protest at Lal Darwaja Bus Terminus at 5.00 pm today , in wake of changes and cancellation of routes.
AMTS authorities, have called for urgent meetings and conveyed that finalisation of change in AMTS routes will be taken jointly. Authories also stated that no decision of closure of AMTS has been taken.
Opposition leader, Badruddin Sheikh, said that ruling party BJP is taking undue advantage of people showing full faith in them by giving them clean majority, which empowers them to take unruly decisions. However, Sheikh talked of protest by Congress in this regard.
Authorities have alerted city Police to deal with the situation arising out of protest at different places in the city.
Auto drivers have taken full advantage of the situation and taken exorbitant passenger fare on long distance trips, especially from passengers arriving at Railway station and ST stand with luggage and family members.
