City sightseeing in Kolkata got a fillip with the introduction of two open-top double decker buses. The buses, recently inaugurated, are likely to be pressed into service during the upcoming festive season.
Once upon a time, the red double decker buses were a common sight in the city along with their cousin the &lsquotrolly&rsquo buses (a double decker bus with a raised third deck towards the front). The double decker buses are said to have been introduced in the 1920s. The state transport department had started phasing out these buses in the 1990s. Apparently, the last double decker bus was withdrawn in 2005.
The BS-IV compliant buses, manufactured by a Jamshedpur-based company have 51 seats in all, including 16 on the upper deck. Other features included destination boards, single automatic door, CCTV and panic button.
The reintroduced buses, according to media reports, will be used as a hop-on hop-off facility for tourists. However, initially the buses are likely to be used for special city tours during the upcoming Durga Puja before being introduced as a regular facility for tourists. In the inaugural phase, the buses will pass the heritage buildings (Writers&rsquo Building, GPO, Town Hall, Victoria Memorial, etc.) in the heart of the city, and the route and stops are likely to be extended depending on demand.
The two-hour tour also includes a boat cruise. Tickets will be made available on the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited on their website towards the start of Durga Puja.