Shillong ( Meghalaya), May 2 : The Government today successfully launched the first STEMS bus catering to school students in Shillong City, under an initiative designed to improve commuting experience, reduce traffic congestion, promote sustainable and safe transportation, and enhance overall connectivity for the citizens of the state.
With the collaborative efforts of various government departments, extensive planning, and a customer-centric approach, the newly introduced bus services aim to revolutionize public transportation and provide schools students with a reliable, safe, efficient, and comfortable commuting option. The government has invested substantial resources in this initiative to ensure the highest standards of service and safety for all passengers.
The first of the fleet of 30 buses has started its service for the route starting from Umpling Football Ground to Pine Mount School. There are a total of 12 boarding and deboarding points along the route including Umpling Football Ground, Nongrah Presbyterian Church, Nongrah Mawshyieng, Nongrah, Lapalang Junction, Lumbatngen (Law U Sib), Demthring Bus Stop, Nongkhyriem, Nongthymmai, Jylli Shop, Fire Brigade, and Pine Mount Back Gate. STEMS plans to start the bus services for the other selected routes and schools in a phase-wise manner. The STEMS bus services enable the parents to track the buses and book the seats online using the mobile application ensuring assured seats to the students. As safety is of paramount importance, the GPS-enabled buses allow live tracking and are fitted with 5 cameras each.
The buses are manned by a well-trained crew of uniformed drivers and caretakers.
STEMS is dedicated to continuously enhancing the bus services based on feedback, evolving passenger needs and remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards, ensuring the well-being of passengers, and providing a reliable and efficient mode of transportation.
Three rounds of extensive and successful test runs were conducted for the pilot route, in order to ensure technical efficiency of the available services and smooth coordination between all concerned. STEMS, together with its supporting partner departments including Shillong Traffic Police, MTC, NIC, PWD (Roads) and other agencies are working closely together to ensure the best possible service to the school children of the city.
So far, STEMS has received a total of 455 registrations and queries from 250+ parents. As the bus services take off for the schools, the Government encourages citizens to embrace this transformative mode of public transportation, and urges parents to register for the service.
The service intends to also cater to officer-goers and other commuters at a later stage, in order to gradually reduce the reliance on private mode of transportation. By choosing buses, individuals can contribute to addressing the issue of congestion in the city and enjoy the numerous benefits of a well-connected city.
For further information and updates on the STEMS bus services, please visit https://stems-meghalaya.nic.in
