City Runner: A Milestone for Sikkim's Transport System and a Boon for Students

Dear Editor,

In a significant move towards modernizing public transportation in Sikkim, the government has launched the “City Runner” bus service a well-planned initiative aimed at easing daily commute for both locals and tourists.

“This is an important step for the development of the state and will greatly benefit both the public and tourists,” said the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Goley).

As a student, I believe the City Runner is not just a transport facility , it’s a gateway to better accessibility, affordability, and sustainability. Reliable public transport is essential for a student's daily life, especially in hilly regions like ours where transport can often be costly and irregular.

Learning from Delhi: Student ID Benefits

A notable example we can take inspiration from is Delhi, where students benefit immensely from subsidized or even free travel on public buses and the metro system. By simply using their Student ID cards, many school and college students in Delhi travel at little to no cost, allowing them to access educational institutions, libraries, tuition centers, and extracurricular activities without financial burden.

Implementing a similar system in Sikkim could have a transformative impact. If students are allowed to travel at subsidized rates or for free using their Student ID cards, it would not only encourage more students to attend school regularly, but also reduce the financial pressure on families.

City Runner: A Step Towards Green, Inclusive Growth

The City Runner buses are not only modern and well equipped but also environmentally friendly promoting cleaner transportation. With Sikkim being an eco-conscious state, this aligns perfectly with our goals of sustainable development.

Moreover, for tourists, this service makes exploring Gangtok and nearby areas more convenient, reducing dependency on private vehicles and improving traffic flow.

A Student's Hope:

As students, we hope the government will continue to prioritize inclusive policies like this. Providing student concessions on City Runner buses would further increase the impact of this already beneficial initiative. It would encourage more students to pursue education actively, reduce absenteeism, and promote a culture of self-reliance.

The launch of City Runner is a proud moment for Sikkim's students:

It’s a step forward not just in transport, but in thinking. With thoughtful additions like student from economic weaker section getting concessions, it has the potential to become a model for other states as well. There is a legal maxim called Salus Populi Est Superama Lex which means welfare of the public is the paramount law!

Your’s etc,

Kanchan Dahal,

BA- LLB student

Sikkim Government Law College, Gangtok