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Ahmedabad, Oct 21 (IANS) Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) recorded an overwhelming response to its three-day free travel initiative during the festive period from Dhanteras to Diwali, with nearly nine lakh passengers availing the service.
The move was part of the city’s ‘Har Ghar Swadeshi – Ghar Ghar Swadeshi’ campaign, which aims to encourage citizens to buy locally made products and facilitate convenient travel for festive shopping.
To support this initiative, AMSTS offered free rides on 18 October (Dantoras), 19 October (Kali Chaudas) and 20 October (Diwali).
According to officials, around six lakh people took advantage of the offer on Dhanteras and Kali Chaudas, while three lakh passengers traveled for free on Diwali. Overall, the scheme benefited around nine lakh citizens – much higher than the city’s daily average of 5.5 lakh AMTS commuters.
Traditionally, AMTS provides free travel to women on Raksha Bandhan and concessional fare during special occasions. However, it was the first instance of citywide free travel being offered to all passengers during Diwali, a move that not only eased festive travel but also encouraged public participation in the local economy.
The state has a vast road network of approximately 74,500 kilometres, including national highways, state highways and district roads, which facilitates seamless connectivity across all regions.
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) plays a key role in intercity and rural connectivity, operating a fleet of over 8,000 buses that serves 99 percent of the state’s population. In the urban centres, Ahmedabad’s public transport is promoted by the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) and the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), which collectively manage an extensive bus network to cater to daily commuters.
Additionally, the Ahmedabad Metro, inaugurated in phases starting in 2019, now extends over 60 km and serves approximately 130,000 passengers daily, enhancing urban mobility.
To further streamline urban transport, the state has set up the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) for Ahmedabad and Surat, which aims to integrate and optimize public transport systems in these fast-growing cities.
–IANS
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