Indore, Dec 4: Indore city bus project has earned national-level recognition with the project being conferred with the `National excellence award' at a national-level convention of the urban transport organized in New Delhi. The award was presented to Indore collector Vivek Agrawal at a function in New Delhi by union urban development secretary, M Ramchandran and the Planning Commission member A Hoda.

This national level award to Indore city bus project was given for setting an example and innovations in the area of continuous urban mobility. Indore's city bus was among three urban transport projects selected for this coveted award. The convention had been organized jointly by the Urban Transport Institute, Association of the Urban Transport System and the Union urban development minister under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission.

A modern public transport system was started in Indore on pubic-private partnership model after the constitution of Indore City Transport Services Limited on January 26, 2006. Within a short span of introduction of this efficient public transport system, Indore city bus project earned a national-level acclaim because of its institutional and financial management.

Presently on an average about one lakh people are taking benefits of Indore city bus system. Besides 10,000 pass holders are also availing this facility. The city presently has a fleet of 88 ultra-modern buses which are plying on the scientifically designed routes.

A separate seating arrangement for the fair sex, electronic ticketing system, electronic display of bus arrival's timings at the designated modern bus stops, have made Indore's city bus services quiet popular among the city people.