Infrastructure (Surface Transport)

Basic Situation

Road transport remains the main mode passenger as well as freight movement with the country and to the neighboring Indian states. Over the years, with the development of the road network throughout the Kingdom, the number of trucks, buses, and taxies has increased manifold. At present, the Surface Transport Division only regulates public passenger transport in terms of route allocation, fare level, frequency and safety, while operation of both passenger as well as goods transport are private sector activities. Licences by way of registration are currently being issued by the Division of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, for taxis and trucks, but the charges for transportation of goods and passengers are left to market forces.

Structure

The Surface Transport Division as well as the Driving as well as the Driving Training School and Phuntsholing are under the Ministry of Communications.

Constraints

At present, different organizations are involved in the transport sector in regulating, licensing, legislation and registration of motor vehicles with little coordination. This has hampered the rational development of surface transport. Only bus transport is at present regulated, leaving taxis and trucks unregulated, leaving taxis and trucks unregulated. Infrastructure in terms of booking offices and bus terminals is not available in many places, and arrangements for HRD are inadequate.

Review of Past Performance

Objectives of the 7 FYP

The policy of the RGOB for passenger transport for the 7FYP was to facilitate the provision of efficient, safe and convenient private sector bus services, and to maintain fares, within the reach of every citizen, while ensuring the success of the ventures. The responsibility of managing and operating buses were to be privatized. The programmes of the Surface Transport Division for the 7FYP plan were the following :

- Provide adequate and efficient passenger transport service at reasonably low tariff;
- Ensure the safety, convenience and comfort of passengers;
- Develop the private sector by establishing appropriate instruments for regulating and monitoring standards and practices; and, - Create adequate physical infrastructure and other facilities for the benefit of private operators as well as the commuters.

Achievements

During 7FYP, it became clear that while all bus services had been privatized, it was necessary for RGOB to provide basic facilities such as booking offices, bus terminals and bus parking garages, for the benefit of both the public and private operators. Bus terminals were, therefore, created with adequate facilities including convenient booking offices, waiting rooms, luggage rooms, as well as office space for the private operators, at Phuntsholing and Samdrup Jongkhar, New bus terminals have been built at Gelephu and Thimphu. A bus parking garage was also constructed at Thimphu and the provision of similar facilities was started in other important towns.

To provide an alternate means of transport for Thimphu residents, a study was conducted in July/August 1995 by two consultants from the Netherlands under the Sustainable Development Programme. Follow up on this report will be undertaken in 8FYP.

An efficient network of passenger transport services has been created by grouping profitable and unprofitable routes. Bus / truck services are now generally available wherever motorable road exist. To ensure the safety and comfort of travelling passengers, the Division reinforced its monitoring activities, checking bus services on a continuous basis followed by thorough checking of the physical condition of buses, and the overall management practices of operators, every six months. The delegation of responsibility of individual Dzongkhags to monitor the functioning of private operators in terms of overloading of passengers and luggage, has greatly helped in improving the safety of these services.

Objectives and Strategies for the 8FYP 

In place of the rather ad hoc development of surface transport during 7FYP, it is intended that development during 8FYP should be guided by a Surface Transport Master Plan, the need for which was clearly identified towards the end of 7FYP.

Objectives

- Promote a safe, efficient and reliable transport system in general and passengers transport system in particular, with the formulation of new guidelines, regulations and an improved system of control and enforcement:
- Optimize utilization of different categories of vehicles - trucks, buses, taxis and others;
- Create further physical infrastructure such as booking offices and bus terminals for the convenience of the commuters;
- Develop the institutional capacity of the Division and promote the training of operators.

Strategies

At present, the Surface Transport Division only exercises responsibility for monitoring and regulating the operation of passengers transport vehicles. During 8FYP, the coordination and consolidation of all surface transport related activities such as vehicle registration, renewal, ownership transfer, drivers licensing, vehicle fitness, regulation trucks, taxis and passengers transport vehicles, will be brought within the purview of the Surface Transport Division.

A Surface Transport Master Plan will be prepared as an aid to the rational long term development of the surface transport system. An HRD programme will be aimed at both public and private sector participants in surface transport.

Programmes for the 8FYP

The following activities are planned for the 8FYP:

- Creation of physical infrastructure, will mainly focus on the construction of bus terminals at different important towns, bus sheds for protection of arriving and departing passengers during rainy season:
- Computerization for data storage and retrieval, so as to facilitate the coordination and transfer of licensing, registration and associated activities;
- Preparation of a Surface Transport master Plan;
- Institutional capacity building, through training;
- Introduction of a city bus service for Thimphu as a follow-up of the study conducted under the Sustainable Development Programme during 7FYP; and
- Expansion of the National Driving Training School.

Continuing efforts to produce adequate numbers of competent national drivers will involve the provision of additional infrastructure, training vehicles and equipments. Enrolment will also be increased so that not only will driving standards improve, but the dependence on expatriate drivers will be minimized.

Financial and Manpower Requirements

Objectives and Strategies of 8FYP

The Civil Aviation Division will continue to place emphasis on the improvement and upgrading of the legal and regulatory provisions governing the operation of Druk Air Corporation, taking into account the international obligations and standards and recommended practices laid down by ICAO. Airport security will also be given high priority. While continuing to expand and improve the quality of international air services, the introduction of domestic air services will be thoroughly explored.

Objectives

- Guide and regulate the operation of airlines, with due consideration to the International Conventions and the guidelines laid down by ICAO;
- Maintain the airport infrastructure at Paro, including the establishment of an appropriate system of airport security for safe and reliable operation of the airline;
- Build required institutional capabilities within the Division;
- Explore the feasibility of introducing domestic air services.

Strategies

- Building of institutional capabilities through recruitment and training of suitable, qualified staff;
- Establishment of appropriate procedures and systems for the maintenance of airport infrastructure;
- Preparation of a Civil Aviation Master Plan.

PROJECT MOC : PREPARATION OF SURFACE TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN 

Project summary :

1. Location : Nationwide

2. Sector : Surface Transport

3. Executing Agency : Ministry of Communications

4. Implementing Agency : Surface Transport Division

5. Estimated cost:

Recurrent : Nu. 0.00 million

Capital: Nu. 2.792 m

Total: Nu 2.792 m

6. Funds Secured : Nu. 0.00 million

7. Financing Gap: Nu. 2.792 m

8. External finance reqd.: Nu. 2.792 m

9. Status( New / Continuation) : New Project

10. Documents available: Comparative Study of the modes of transport in Bhutan. 1991/92

Project Objectives

Formulate a Surface Transport Master Plan to assist in planning the future development activities relating to various modes of surface transport systems.

Project Description

In the absence of a Master Plan, systematic development of surface transport activities has not been possible despite its existence for more than three decades. On the other hand, surface transport has an important role to play in the development of the economy for a land-locked country like ours where other modes of transport (other than air transport on a small scale) are virtually limited.

In view of the importance of this sub-sector, there is an urgent need to formulate a comprehensive document which will address all relevant issues pertaining to the development of surface transport, keping in view the role of private sector and the requirement of other transport infrastructures.

Project Impact

This will help in the systematic development of surface transport sector including the prioritization of investments required to be made by the Government.

Project Management

The project as such, will be the responsibility of the Policy & Planning Division of the Ministry of Communications who will carry out the plan preparation with the help of consultants who will be recruited for this purpose. The Surface Transport Division will provide other supports wherever considered necessary and appropriate.

Financing Detail

As shown in the project summary. An estimate of Nu. 6.925 million (equivalent to US$175,000) has been made for this project.

Technical Assistance

The service of two experts will be necessary for this project.

 
PROJECT MOC : INTRODUCTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR THIMPU CITY 

Project summary :

Location : Thimpu

2. Sector : Transport

3. Executing Agency : Ministry of Communications

4. Implementing Agency : Surface Transport Division

5. Estimated cost:
Recurrent : Nu. 0.00 million
Capital: Nu. 2.358 m
Total: Nu 2.358 m

6. Funds Secured : Nu. 0.00 million

7. Financing Gap: Nu. 2.358 m

8. External finance reqd.: Nu. 2.358 m

9. Status( New / Continuation) : New Project

10. Documents available: Mass Public Transportation study, 08/95

Project Objectives

Introduce a mass transport facility for the residents of Thimphu with a view to reduce traffic congestion, motor vehicle accidents and pollution.

Project Description

By virtue of being the capital city, Thimphu has been growing at a rapid pace. Increase in the number of motor vehicles in the city is one of the visible signs of Thimphu's growth. Because of limited scope for expansion of road network in the city, the roads have now become congested and vehicle-related accidents have increased greatly. In addition, pollution created by these motor vehicles has increased significantly.

Under this project, the Royal Government intends to introduce mass transport system which will help all sections of the population residing in the city apart from encouraging the use of such facilities by the owners of private and users of government vehicles. To start with, it has been considered necessary to have at least three units of diesel buses, which will be specially designed to meet the requirement of the city, taking into account the difficult road conditions.; Depending upon performance and convenience to the public of these buses shall be procured to meet the additional demand of the people.

b>Project Impact

Reduce road congestion, motor vehicle accident and pollution. At the same time, this will cater to the needs of the urban population who are unable to afford a private vehicle.

Project Management

The management and operation of the mass transport system will remain with the Surface Transport Division.

Financing Detail

As shown in the Project Summary.

Manpower Requirement

None

Equipment

None

Technical Assistance

The implementing agency will carry out various studies in relation to this project which will be spread over the period of three years. The expert is expected to provide necessary on the job training to the maintenance staff of the Surface Transport Division.

PROJECT MOC : Creation of Transport Infrastructure

Project summary :

Location : Nationwide (in selected towns)

2. Sector : Surface Transport

3. Executing Agency : Ministry of Communications

4. Implementing Agency : Surface Transport Division

5. Estimated cost:
Recurrent : Nu. 0.00 million
Capital: Nu. 2.358 m
Total: Nu 2.358 m

6. Funds Secured : Nu. 0.00 million

7. Financing Gap: Nu. 17.293 m

8. External finance reqd.: Nu. 17.293 m

9. Status( New / Continuation) : New Project

10. Documents available: None.

Project Objectives

Create adequate transport infrastructure such as bus terminals and bus sheds with all facilities for the convenience of the traveling public.

Project Description 

While the operational aspects have been fully privatized, the regulatory task remains with the government. As such, the Surface Transport Division has the added responsibility of creating the required transport infrastructure for the benefit of users of surface transport system as well as the private operators.

Bus terminals at busy stations like Trashigang, Trongsa, Sarpang, Tsirang, Mongar, Wangdue, Paro and Punakha are proposed while the construction of bus sheds at the three major terminals in Phuntsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar and Gelephu are planned.

Project Impact

Creation of such infrastructure will directly benefit the passengers and the operators of transport systems.

Project Management

The project will be supervised by the Surface Transport Division in collaboration with the concerned technical departments in the Government. The actual construction could be contracted out to private contractors.

Financing Detail

As shown in project summary. This is just a preliminary estimate