Argus News - New Guidelines Issued for Ama Bus Drivers, Operations Revamped

Bhubaneswar, Jan 15: The Odisha government has taken decisive steps to streamline and strengthen the functioning of the Ama Bus service following rising public concerns over frequent accidents and reckless driving.

A high-level meeting chaired by Transport Secretary Usha Padhi, with the participation of the Transport Commissioner and CRUT Managing Director Sanjay Biswal, has laid out new guidelines to ensure passenger safety and operational discipline.

One of the key decisions is the scrapping of 30 old BPTSL buses that have already clocked more than 1.5 lakh kilometres. This move aims to prioritize both passenger safety and environmental protection. In their place, new smaller buses, including e-buses, will be introduced to improve efficiency and reduce risks on busy routes.

Driver training has also been made more rigorous. The existing three-day induction programme at driving schools will now be extended to five days. Moreover, drivers with less than five years of experience will not be allowed to operate Ama Bus unless they successfully clear the training programme. This measure is expected to instill greater discipline and reduce instances of negligent driving.

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To support the transition to e-buses, multi-charging infrastructure will be developed at key locations including Chatia, Berhampur, and Sundargarh. Smaller e-buses will be deployed on routes in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, with public feedback on route changes being sought through social media platforms. This participatory approach is designed to align services more closely with commuter needs.

Additionally, a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Usha Padhi will review Ama Bus operations every 15 days, keeping a close watch on safety and service quality. With repeated accidents having shaken public confidence, these measures mark a turning point for Ama Bus.