Jaipur: Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) will induct 144 new Blue Line buses equipped with CCTV cameras, panic buttons and televisions, with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma set to flag them off from the Heerapura Bus Terminal Saturday.The new buses have been allotted to 23 depots across the state. In the first phase, televisions will be installed in 80 buses, beginning with five buses at the Vaishali Nagar depot.RSRTC managing director Purusottam Sharma said the televisions are being installed under a revenue-sharing model. “We have reserved 120 minutes for displaying information on govt schemes, while the remaining time will be used for passenger entertainment. The corporation will review the content,” he said.The buses have also been fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD), CCTV cameras and panic buttons to enhance passenger safety. Sharma said cameras will now be mandatory even in buses operated under contract. “All prescribed safety standards have been followed, and facilities available in high-end buses have now been introduced in Blue Line buses as well. These buses are generally deployed on rural routes, which will help improve road transport services in rural areas,” added Sharma.Officials said the induction of the 144 buses will allow the corporation to phase out buses up to the 2012 model. Buses up to the 2017 model will continue to operate and will be phased out gradually.The transport department will also distribute 2,500 helmets to women during the flagging-off programme Saturday.
