TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

STATE TRANSPORT

THE GOVERNMENT OF BOMBAY DECIDED IN 1947 TO NATIONALISE the motor transport industry with a view to eliminating uneconomic competition and placing the industry on a sound economic basis. It set up a statutory public corporation, known as the Bombay State Road Transport Corporation (B. S. R. T. C). After World War I (1914-18) the motor transport industry yielded high profits which, coupled with freedom of entry and absence of regulation, attacted a large number of enterprising persons, most of whom were small operators owning a bus or two. In order to attract greater patronage, rates were often reduced as low as could cover only the " out-of-pocket" (i.e., variable) costs. Such a policy was necessarily short-sighted and detrimental in the long run to the industry as a whole. Over-crowding was a usual occurrence. Breakdowns were quite common. Necessary amenities such as good seating accommodation, canteens, waiting rooms, lavatories and other facilities were almost absent. In order to secure a larger turnover, drivers drove rashly, often endangering the lives of the passengers.

Conditions of service improved a little after the passing of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939. It was realised after independence that in welfare State public weal rather than private profits should be maximised. This could never be expected from private proprietors. Hence it was decided in 1947 to nationalise motor transport in the Bombay State. In accordance with this policy, motor transport in the Kolhapur district was nationalised on July 1, 1950.

Statistics of routes.

The table given below indicates the total number of routes, route mileage, the frequency of "Up" and "Down" trips and the average number of passengers per day per route: -

TABLE No. 8.

KOLHAPUR DIVISION OF STATE TRANSPORT-VARIOUS ROUTES IN OPERATION.

TABLE No. 8-contd.

TABLE No. 8-contd.

TABLE No. 8-contd

TABLE No. 8-contd.

TABLE No. 8-concld.

Depots and Garages.

At Kolhapur, which is the headquarters of the Kolhapur Division, a permanent divisional workshop to repair and inspect vehicles was established. The position of depots and garages as on 28th February, 1955 was as follows:-

TABLE No. 9.

Bus stands, sheds and waiting rooms.

There were bus stands, sheds, waiting rooms at Kolhapur, Sangli, Karad, Vita, Ichalkaranji, Jaisingpur, Umbraj, Tasgaon, Islampur, whereas at Vadgaon and at Malkapur there were only sheds and waiting rooms.

Passenger Amenities.

Passenger amenities which were hitherto neglected by the private operators are given considerable importance by State Transport. That is due to a shift in the motive, that public good rather than private profits should be maximised. Spacious, well-ventilated and comfortable buses are provided; a priority list is maintained and seats are allotted according to it. Canteens, drinking water, sheds, stands, lavatories, and other facilities are provided at important stations. Special buses are arranged on occasions like fairs; extra buses are provided in case of heavy rush; buses are also available on hire to individuals and institutions for holiday parties, picnics etc. Every bus is equipped with a first-aid box and the conductors are given training in first-aid.

Fares.

The rate of fares was arrived at on the basis of the Corporation's operation throughout the State. In practice, however, fares are charged on the basis of the "stages" travelled; a stage consists of four miles. As such, the minimum fare is 20 nP. Children are charged half the rates with a minimum of ten nP.

Staff and Organisation.

On 28th February 1955, the Kolhapur Division was manned by 1,240 persons. The category-wise figures are as under: Administrative 220, Traffic 635 and Workshop 385.

The administrative staff consists of a Divisional Controller, a Divisional Statistician, a Divisional Auditor, a Labour Officer and persons working directly under mem. The staff concerned with traffic consists of a Divisional Traffic Officer, an Assistant Traffic Superintendent, traffic, inspectors, fuel inspectors, traffic controllers, drivers, conductors, porters, and watermen. Under the workshop staff come a Divisional Mechanical Engineer, a Divisional Works Superintendent, an Assistant Works Superintendent and various artisans.

Method of recruitment.

A Divisional Selection Committee is appointed for selection of staff having a basic pay of up to Rs. 100 per month. This committee consists of (1) a member of the B. S. R. T. C, who is ex-officio the chairman, (2) the Divisional Controller concerned (3) the District Superintendent of Police and (4) the Divisional Traffic Officer concerned. In the earlier stages, as far as possible employees of the ex-private operators were employed. In their case the Committee could waive the minimum qualifications, subject to the approval of the Corporation.

A Central Selection Committee for the State has been appointed to recruit staff carrying a monthly salary between Rs. 100 and Rs. 200. It consists of four members, three of whom are Corporation Board Members and the fourth is the Dy. General Manager (Engineering). One of the Corporation Board Members acts as the chairman. For selection of Class I and Class II officers with a minimum monthly salary of Rs. 200 and above, a Service Board consisting of the members of the Corporation is set up.

Welfare Committee.

A Welfare Committee has been set up to look after the welfare of the staff of the Division. In most units in the Division, sports clubs have been set up and they are functioning well. There is a library and reading room for the staff of the Divisional office. Newspapers in regional languages are supplied to all depots and garages. Books and newspapers are purchased from the Corporation funds and no subscription is charged for their use.

Goods transport.

The Kolhapur Division also undertakes goods transport. On 28th February, 1955 there were 17 trucks and the number of trucks on road per day was 6.08. The tonnage carried during the month of February 1955 was 3248.47, of which 2896.11 tons were on private account, and food grains 326.38 tons and miscellaneous 25.98. Destinations of the goods carried were both within and outside the district.

TOP