Jaipur: Three years after former chief minister Ashok Gehlot announced plans to bring Rajasthan’s five city transport corporations under one umbrella, the BJP govt has initiated the process to set up Rajasthan City Transport Services Ltd (RCTSL), a holding company for urban bus operations.The five corporations — Jaipur City Transport Services Ltd (JCTSL), Kota Bus Services Ltd, Jodhpur Bus Services Ltd, Udaipur Bus Services Ltd and Ajmer Pushkar City Bus Ltd — currently function under the local self govt department.JCTSL’s managing director Narayan Singh said the drafts of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association were prepared, while audit reports of the other corporations are being examined.“As part of the process, no other city corporation is procuring new buses. JCTSL will procure new buses on behalf of all five corporations. If everything works fine, the new holding company may be formed by the end of this calendar year,” stated Singh.JCTSL has floated tenders for 655 electric buses. Of these, 155 will be procured directly by the corporation, marking the first time city transport bodies will operate buses purchased by the state govt. The remaining 500 buses, including 50 double-deckers, will be inducted under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. The double-deckers will be introduced on Rajasthan roads for the first time. “Of these 655 e-buses, Jaipur will get 480 buses, while the remaining will be distributed to other city corporations,” an official added.JCTSL is yet to identify routes for the double-decker buses and is also exploring their use for tourist services. Jodhpur and Udaipur are also expected to get double-decker buses.
