Public Transport Service in Shillong in shambles?

thenortheasttoday: "What is shocking is that even the senior officers of the Urban Affairs department are trying to protect these groups for reasons best known to them.
The officers of the Urban Affairs are refusing to accept the ground reality and are trying to paint a picture that everything fine.When asked why such a large number of STPS buses and Maxi Cab are lying idle and why there is no proper maintenance of these vehicles, a senior government official replied that it is not true that a large number of buses and Maxi Cab are lying idle."

Delhi officials committed to monthly #carfree days which include some fare-free buses

Selfie on cycles vs. less footfall on public transport - The Hindu: "“Comfortable, reliable, accessible public transport system n better designed roads is the key. I'll personally work on this,” the Chief Minister tweeted. Mr. Rai told The Hindu that his Department's bid to popularise public transportation would be taken up on 'a war-footing.' Several changes, Mr. Rai, who reiterated the institutionalisation of the car-free day in the Capital by ensuring its observance on different stretches on the 22nd of every month, said several modifications would be made to the required arrangements well in time before the next car free the next instalment of which will be organised at south west Delhi's Dwarka on November 22.


“The event evidenced the government’s commitment to offering public transport as a viable alternative”"

Car-free day: Focus on public transport, need for cycle stands

The Indian Express: "The municipal corporation of Gurgaon has also been asked for parking spaces for cycles and also make provisions to ensure safety of the cycles and appropriate signages for the same should also be provided. Traffic police officers have also been asked to strictly enforce all four corridors as no-parking zones.
“Our purpose behind organising this event is to give out a strong message that people are ready to switch to public transport, provided there is adequate infrastructure available. We plan to make it a movement,” Singh said."

Gurgaon monthly #carfree day, though limited, already having a positive impact

Hindustan Times: "According to the report prepared by Embarq India, problems such as rampant unauthorised parking, congestion and soaring pollution levels led to the need for organising car-free day.
Regarding the success of the initiative, the report states that there was a 25-30% reduction in car use on the four corridors."

Hostile corporate media frames #carfree days as "hurting the people." Cars don't?

The Hindu: "Q. But a lot of car users are wary of what is in store for them on October 22 despite it being a holiday (Dussehra) and the curtailed duration of the initiative; do you think you will be able to execute it on subsequent occasions, especially on weekdays?

A. We have reiterated that the objective is not to harass commuters or force them onto buses and the metro regardless of their will. The idea is to promote public transport as a viable alternative; to illustrate that commuting in Delhi is possible without owning a personal vehicle, which has become, over the years, a status symbol. All the government wishes to showcase is that it is time to move beyond that kind of tokenism for the sake of what matters the most – the health of the individual and the environment."

#Carfree days expose the lack of dependable buses in New Delhi

The Hindu: "Welcome to the world of car-free days, a concept rooted in an European oil crisis back in early 1970s seeking to affect a behaviourial change in urban commuters in terms reducing of their dependence on personal vehicles on selected days. And now, we have a new aspirant aching to add New Delhi to this coveted list of ‘evolving world cities’ in spite of serious infrastructural flaws in the Capital's existing public transportation system."

Jung supports, car-free day back on track

The Times of India: "New Delhi: The Delhi government's Car-Free Day is back. Transport minister Gopal Rai, who met LG Najeeb Jung on Tuesday after Delhi police refused to give permission to hold the event, said Jung had assured the government of his support.
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Choking Delhi vows pollution tax, car-free days to improve air

Reuters: ""Delhi's pollution levels are rising beyond dangerous levels," state Transport Minister Gopal Rai told Reuters in an interview. "If we don't address this, people will be forced to think about leaving the city to save their lives.""

Car-free day observance attracts crowds

Children drawing pictures on the Ramanilayam Road in Thrissur on Sundayas part of car-free day observance. —Photo: K. K. Najeeb

TheHindu : "To encourage people to take public transport

The busy Rama Nilayam Road in the city turned into venue for lots of fun and games on Sunday afternoon.

...It was observation of International Car-free Day. The ESAF in association with the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Thrissur Livable Cities Network, Health Bridge Foundation and the NATPAC (National Transportation Planning and Research Centre) organised the observation of the day."

Clean water, air & efficient public transport should be main priorities for smart city: Katarina Luhr

Daily News & Analysis: "Katarina: Adequate supply of clean water, air and efficient public transport should be the main priorities for any city and its leaders."