The privately-operated iconic Bed Ford buses may be a thing of the past, but Meghalaya’s new government-run “Ka Bos Jong Ngi” service is giving commuters renewed hope that organised bus transport can once again become a reliable feature of life in Shillong.
The new fleet of buses, introduced under the Ka Bos Jong Ngi initiative, is receiving an encouraging response from the public, with residents welcoming a service that is more organised, comfortable and punctual than the city’s conventional bus system. At the same time, many hope the government will maintain the fleet properly so it does not suffer the same fate as the SPTS/JNNURM buses, many of which eventually ended up rusting in scrapyards across Shillong.
The initiative was launched in February this year with a fleet of 29 air-conditioned diesel buses. Services began with 15 buses operating on the IIM Shillong–Upper Shillong route as part of a pilot phase to assess commuter demand and operational performance.
The network has since expanded to include the ISBT Shillong (Mawiong)–Lad Smit route.
The second phase of the initiative was flagged off on July 3 at the ISBT by Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman and Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare, in the presence of Urban Affairs Department Secretary WAM Booth Shadap, Director P.K. Boro and other officials.
A ride by this correspondent from ISBT, Mawiong, to Laitumkhrah reflected the growing popularity of the service.
Passengers boarded the bus at almost every designated stop, with many appreciating the comfort, punctuality and disciplined operations.
Unlike many conventional buses that often wait several minutes at busy junctions to fill seats, the new buses halt only long enough for passengers to board and alight before continuing their journey.
The buses are equipped with air-conditioning, CCTV cameras, GPS tracking and electronic ticketing machines.