The poor management and lack of resources in regards with public transport system in Dehradun has increasingly pushed people towards dangerous situations. A number of parents admitted that if the public transport system was sound then they would have never allowed their minors to ride.
The lack of public transport during night time was also becoming a security risk for the people, after which district police stepped up to provide help in that regard. A number of people have also complained that several autos and vikrams or taxis which operate during night time exploit the need of the customer by charging much more than the actual charge. The president of City Bus Sewa ‘Mahasangh’, Vijay Vardhan Dandriyal said that the biggest problem is the apathy of Government. There is no set terminal point for city buses. He said that even their demands for proper bus stands have never been addressed genuinely. He added, “Like ISBT is the terminal for roadways buses from where people can get the buses or get information regarding the timings and availability, there is no such facility regarding city buses as of now.
I assure you if the Government is ready to take this step then city buses in Dehradun will operate till 10 PM. Presently they are operating from 6 AM to 8 PM.” Rajendra Kumar, member of Vikram Jan Kalyan Samiti said, “On most routes vikrams operate from 5 AM to 10 AM. On ISBT to Rispana route at least 30-40 vikrams operate all night. Similarly, where the customer basis is less there vikrams might stop operating before 10 PM as well.
However, if there are areas where the vikrams are needed to operate for longer period of time, in those scenarios we get an order for the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and then we operate accordingly.”
It is pertinent to mention here that lack of transport options during night hours is a problem that people of Dehradun along with tourists face on daily basis. The public transport system needs to get revised by the transport authorities for the benefit of both local residents and tourists.