The enthusiasm of residents of Sector 137, Noida, about the NMRC feeder buses plying through the sector is gradually dying down. Residents say that the bus drivers are skipping bus stops enlisted in the route map.
They complain that bus drivers are skipping some stops on purpose to show that there is low ridership in the sector. If they succeed in doing so, the bus service to the sector would be scrapped.
Nandani Srivastava, a resident, says, “We are using social media platforms to encourage residents of various societies to use the service. It will be an embarrassment for us if the service is withdrawn due to the drivers’ attempt at showing low ridership in the sector.”
NMRC’s move to ply buses through the sector had come as a huge relief to residents, who had to depend on private autos to commute.
“I was waiting for the bus outside my society in the sector on the morning of February 6. But the bus never came even though I waited for about 30 minutes,” says Rauhan Srivastava, a commuter who travels regularly to Botanical Garden from the sector. He has lodged a complaint with NMRC via their helping number regarding the issue.
Gaurav Singhal, another commuter, says, “I boarded a bus at the stop outside Paramount Floraville [a residential society in the sector], but the conductor did not issue a ticket immediately. Instead he issued me a ticket after we crossed Panchsheel Balak Inter College to show that I boarded the bus here.” Singhal alleges that such an incident has happened with him on other occasions too.
Rajesh Pathak, depot manager, NMRC, was not available for comment. But he had earlier apprised sector’s residents that if low ridership is reported from the sector, it would be difficult for NMRC to cater to the sector.
