The Hindu Business Line : `Efforts on to improve occupancy in MMTS trains'

DESPITE poor response from the public to the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS), the South Central Railway (SCR) and the Andhra Pradesh Government are hoping that the transport system would take off.

Mr T. Stanley Babu, General Manager of SCR, who didn't hide his displeasure over poor occupancy in MMTS trains, said there were issues like common bus-rail ticket and accessibility that came in the way.

Talking to newsmen on Thursday, he had put the occupancy levels at 30-35 per cent. This, he said, was not viable. "We are discussing with them (officials of the Government and Road Transport Corporation) the issues of common ticket," he said.

"We need to take steps to improve the occupancy rate," he said. A viable occupancy rate was 60-65 per cent. "They are at it. We are pursuing it," he said.

The combined ticket would mean a significant cut in travel costs, inducing commuters to take to MMTS trains, Mr Stanley Babu felt.

Referring to city civic administration's efforts to run feeder services, he said this would go a long way in the success of MMTS.

He said the State Government came forward to part fund the Rs 383-crore MMTS expansion project. In the second phase, the system would cover Shamshabad, Bhongir and Manoharabad. "Some of these lines would get additional lines to take the extra traffic," Mr Stanley Babu said.

While Secunderabad-Manoharabad extension would cost Rs 129 crore, Secunderabad-Bhongir line would cost Rs 138 crore.

Extension of the system to Shamshabad would give boost to the upcoming international airport.

MMTS is a 50:50 joint venture company between the Railways and the Government.

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