With the aim to provide better facilities to the commuters, Uttar Pradesh is soon going to have at least one state-of-the-art bus stand having all facilities in each district.

“In the first phase, 24 bus stands will be developed in 16 districts under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with facilities for passengers' convenience at par with international standards,” a government spokesman said here on Thursday.

UP State Road Transport Corporation Managing Director Sanjay Kumar said the demand for bus services was high, given their easy availability and comparatively cheaper fares and this was why well-equipped bus stations were the need of the hour.

“The top priority will be provision of clean drinking water for passengers,” he said.

He said bus stations would be repainted, timetables and fare tables would also be put up. Along with making proper lighting arrangements, air-conditioners would also be installed at the bus stands. Besides, toilets would be cleaned regularly to ensure hygiene and cleanliness. In addition, facilities like proper waiting rooms would also be provided.

Kumar said that a complete action plan had been formulated. In October, tenders would be issued for identification and development of 24 bus stands in 16 districts in the first phase. In the second phase, 35 bus stands would be developed.

“In pursuance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives for providing airport-like facilities to bus passengers, work is being carried out in a phased manner,” he said. 

The Transport Department will provide the land for bus stands and then a private party will operate the modern bus stands. The Transport Department has fixed a period of 35 years for the maintenance which might get extended further as per the need. About 70 per cent area of the bus stand will remain for the buses to operate while 30 per cent of the space will be utilised for construction of building.

“The focus of the government is on improving the quality of services for the passengers as buses are one of the most commonly used means of transport when it comes to both interstate and intrastate travel,” he said.