With an endeavour to make journey of passengers more safe and comfortable, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in its buses. The system will not only help passengers for locating the buses, but also the timings of the arrival and departure. According to a senior officer of MSRTC, the commuters’ comfort is objective behind installing the system. The system is being developed on the lines of the Railway tracking system. Recently, MSRTC launched ‘vehicle tracking system’ (VTS) on its buses, enabling the users to tracking State Transport buses while on the move. To add value to its services, MSRTC is planning to install modern VTS technology in over 10,000 buses.

 

An official, on condition of anonymity, said, “Before introducing the GPS, we tried and tested the system at all levels. Initially, we noticed some flaws, which we removed and then, a fool-proof system was ensured. The GPS app will help passengers in identifying seat vacancies too. Most routes are now modernised but some routes go through villages where the internet reach is poor. This can lead to non-functioning of VTS. Considering this aspect, GPS is being installed. Government is planning to introduce over 2,000 smart buses having Artificial Intelligence to given qualitative service to passengers.

 

These buses will have GPS, LED TVs, Wi-Fi, and driver monitoring systems. After introducing the system in some buses, gradually, other buses too will be equipped with modern technology. These buses will not only have AI-based cameras, GPS technology, but also anti-theft technology-based bus lock systems. The buses will also have an automatic passenger counting system. In recent past, it was found that due to drivers’ negligence, many people lost their lives. To put a check on them, the cam-based detection of driver violations will be done. CCTV cameras to be installed in the buses will help in preventing untoward incidents.

 

A senior official from the Transport Department said, “Buses are being modernised in the sense, their parking would be streamlined. In some cases, there were incidents of rape too. The new modern parking system that would lock the buses will rule out such rape incidents. The CCTV cameras in the buses will be positioned with an objective and do the recording for 24 hours.