Long wait for luxury, Mercedes buses to be introduced only by year-end

GURGAON: Eight Mercedes buses, which were earlier supposed to be added to the district transport fleet by last month, will be now introduced only by December-end.
These high-end buses are meant to ply on long-distance routes, and will ferry passengers to places like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Katra and Chandigarh. According to transport officials, the deal is in its final stage and soon they would be added to the fleet.
Earlier, it was planned that buses would start plying on Chandigarh and Amritsar routes by October-end. However, owing to the fact that there are already air conditioned (AC) buses running on Chandigarh route, preference has been given to Katra and Jalandhar.
With this service, the transport department plans to start service to Amritsar for the first time from Gurgaon. Travel to another holy place Vaisno Devi will also become conevnient.
Sources said these buses have been bought at a total cost of Rs 8 crore. These buses are the ultimate name in luxury and have all the modern facilities including lush seats and rest room, sources added.
Yashendra Singh, general manager, Haryana Roadways, Gurgaon, said, This project is in its final stage and we are now hoping to make these buses available by this year end.
The fare to Chandigarh will be equivalent to what is being charged by Volvo buses. We will soon announce the fare for Amritsar too, Singh added.
Notably, buses are still a preferred mode of travel for city denizens as compared to railway due to poor train connectivity. Those who want to travel by train are required to go to the New Delhi railway station to catch Kalka-Delhi Shatbadi, Jan Shatabadi or any other train to Chandigarh. Same is the case with Amritsar.
Singh further informed that although Haryana roadways runs several luxury buses on Delhi-Chandigarh route, of which there are four Volvo buses and three other AC buses