Mo Bus to be renamed as Ama Bus; CCTV cameras, sirens to be installed: Odisha Minister

Amidst the growing concerns over frequent mishaps involving Mo Buses, Odisha government is contemplating to change the name of the bus service.

Housing and Urban Development Minister, Krushna Chandra Mohapatra on Saturday informed that the public transport system will soon see a name change and  'Mo Bus' service will be renamed as 'Ama Bus'. 

The change is being heralded as a move towards community inclusivity, with 'Mo' translating to 'My' and 'Ama' to 'Our' in the regional language, Odia.

Focus on Community Over Individualism

According to the Minister, the former name 'Mo Bus' implied a sense of personal ownership, which can be translated to arrogance or ego. He emphasised that the new BJP government in Odisha is a people's government, and stressed the importance of communal sharing over individual ownership in public initiatives.

Also Read: ‘Mo Bus’ driver arrested following death of minor girl in Bhubaneswar

Enhanced Safety Measures

Concurrent with the name change, the state’s bus fleet will also undergo significant safety upgrades following a spate of accidents. The new measures will include the installation of front and rear cameras to capture real-time footage during mishaps. This will aid in ensuring accountability and identifying responsible parties.

The introduction of 'guardian systems' like Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) will also be installed. The system will monitor driver alertness, with technology in place to sound alarms and bring vehicles to a halt if drivers show signs of fatigue or fall asleep. 

Additionally, breathalyser tests will now form a routine check for alcohol consumption before drivers commence their shifts. 

Minister Mohapatra assured that rigorous actions would be taken in cases of detected negligence.