Transport Ministry's some more initiatives (March, 2005 upto September, 2007)

(i) RADIO TAXI SERVICE:
To ensure better and safe connectivity, Radio Taxi licences have been issued/are being issued in the entire NCR region of Haryana. First set of licencees have already started operation from Gurgaon.

(ii) DRIVER’S TRAINING SCHOOLS:
To ensure availability of large number of well-trained drivers for public and private sectors, three world-class driver’s training schools are being opened in Haryana. These are:-

(a) Bahadurgarh, District Jhajjar in partnership with Maruti Udyog Limited.
(b) Rohtak, District Rohtak in partnership with Maruti Udyog Limited.
(c) Garhi Padla, District Kaithal in partnership with Ashok Leyland.

Agreement to this effect has been signed on 22nd November, 2006. Land and finances have been allocated to a society formed between Government of Haryana and these companies. Operational and managerial control shall remain with the society, which will be manned by these professional companies. Each driver training school would cost a minimum of Rs.10,00,00,000/-.

(iii) REFURBISHMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE:
For decades, no amount was available for repair and renovation of existing assets i.e. bus stands and workshops, which is the place for basic public interface for all transport services. In 2005-06, a sum of Rs.10,00,00,000/- was allocated for the first time. Similar amount was allocated for 2006-07. This led to creation of amenities at bus stands like:-

(a) Repair and painting of bus stands including reconstruction of floors.
(b) Construction of modern toilets for men and women.
(c) Installation of water coolers with filters at bus stands.
(d) Installation of perforated steel chairs at bus stands for passenger comfort.
(e) Opening of cloak rooms at many bus stands.
(f) Opening of Yatri Niwas at Kalka and Ambala Cantt. Bus stands.
(g) Provision for air circulators at the bus stands.
(h) Providing for new lighting system and high mast light at the bus stands.

(iv) REDUCTION OF PASSENGER TAX:
Haryana had among the highest passenger tax in the entire Asian region. Under the Punjab Passenger & Goods Tax Act, 1925; passenger tax on Haryana’s buses was as high as 60 per cent. This led to non-renewal or even execution of inter-State agreement with other State Transport Corporations. Rates of passenger being was dis-similar, net consequence was unregulated inter-State traffic, multiple litigations and loss of revenue.

In a bold move, it was decided to reduce the passenger tax to 25 per cent from the existing 60 per cent w.e.f. Ist April, 2007 by way of a necessary amending legislation. This has resulted in execution of inter-State agreements with Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in less than a year, a milestone that had not been achieved for last 15 years.

(v) PUBLIC WELFARE MEASURES:
As part of the corporate social responsibility, Haryana Roadways permits nearly three dozen categories of persons to travel free in its buses. Particularly it was decided to permit the existing facility of traveling to following categories:-

(a) Free-travel to 100% handicapped persons along with free travel to one attendant to assist him/her.
(b) Free travel for all national youth awardees.
(c) Free travel for all thalessamia patients.
(d) Free travel for all women along with children below 15 years of age on the day of ‘Raksha Bandhan’.