Meghalaya: CM Sangma Launches Shared School Bus System, Agriculture Response Vehicle Scheme

The buses are part of the Sustainable Transport and Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS) programme, which focuses on mobility and overall transportation to help the city decongest.​

"A bus ride today with our students in the launch of the Shared School Bus System in Shillong city, which we hope will minimize traffic congestion and create a mode shift in school travel from private four-wheelers to school buses," Sangma tweeted.

The chief minister stated that the prime tourist vehicles are a step toward improving the overall tourism sector and providing good transportation services to tourists while also creating job opportunities for our entrepreneurs.

The Meghalaya government is assisting tourism entrepreneurs in purchasing high-end tourist vehicles. This is the beginning of promoting 'High-Value Tourism' entrepreneurship in our state, and more assistance will be provided in the future to strengthen the tourism entrepreneurship ecosystem," the CM tweeted.

The chief minister stated that the Prime Agriculture Response Vehicles are given to farmer associations and groups so that the farmers will have a strong transportation network, which will ultimately help the farmers.

"The Meghalaya Agriculture Response Vehicle Scheme will reduce the amount spent by our farmers on transportation of agricultural produce by providing financial assistance for the procurement of 'Agriculture Response Vehicles' under the scheme," he tweeted.

STEMS CEO Isawanda Laloo stated that the fleet of buses being introduced will be used by multiple schools for school trips, employees to commute to offices, and tourists on holidays or weekends, creating more efficiency and ensuring that the buses' operations are sustainable.

The buses have GPS tracking for real-time tracking, as well as a passenger information system and LED screens that display the routes. The NIC will create a mobile app and website for tracking and booking buses, while the transport department will be in charge of operations and maintenance. The Meghalaya Skills Development Society will train the bus drivers and bus attendants.