The Union Urban Ministry has chosen Surat Municipal Corporation for the ‘Best City Bus Services Award for its success in attracting 87 per cent of the private vehicle and auto rickshaw users to use city buses.

According to a release, Surat implemented single ticketing system, integration of city buses with feeder systems and Intelligent Transit Management.

"With 95 per cent of arrivals and departures on time, 87 per cent of those using private vehicles and auto rickshaws have now shifted to city buses minimising environmental and social adversity issues," reads the release. 

The ministry on Monday announced awards for ‘Best Urban Transport Practices' during the Urban Mobility Conference -cum Exhibition

Mysuru's public bicycle sharing has won the ‘Best Non-Motorised Transport' award while Kochi has been chosen for the ‘Best Urban Transport Initiative' award for completing its metro rail project in quick time along with integrating the metro with other modes of transport.

Also Madhya Pradesh has been awarded for commendable Urban Mass Transit Initiative for implementing cluster based bus transit system.

Other awards include Bhopal for commendable initiative for introducing public bicycle sharing, Noida and Greater Noida for commendable city bus service project initiative, Andaman for commendable initiative for introducing special bus services for women, and Lucknow Metro Rail Project for commendable Urban Mass Transit Initiative.

The ministry also has chosen H-TRIMS of Hyderabad, for the Traffic Integrated Management initiative, commendable initiative award under ‘Best Intelligent Transport Project' category and Chittor for the commendable initiative award for the city police's initiative for improving road safety.