Prawaas – India’s latest platform to discuss passenger transport sector future

Bus Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) along with Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatna and Federation of Tourist Taxi Operators (FOTTO) is going to organize ‘India International Bus & Car Travel Show’ from July 28-30, 2017 at CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai. Termed under a platform called Prawaas (meaning Journey), the inaugural edition will be a three day event that plans to attract the who’s who of the Bus and Car sector to come together and voice out the challenges, opportunities and way ahead for the betterment of the sector.

Mr. Prasanna Patwardhan, BOCI President, and Chairman & Managing Director, Prasanna Purple, said, “India with its growing economy presents an exciting opportunity for the Bus & Car operators but many challenges still remain unanswered. Be it infrastructure, regulation and taxation or passenger experience. We hardly come together to document our experiences, our initiatives, our problems as a common agenda. This platform seeks to bring together everybody involved in tours-travel business to help each other grow together. While we move in the direction to adopt best practices from various developed countries, we can put forward our aspirations in front of the policy makers more affirmatively when we are on a same platform.”

Keeping aside the differentiation between the operators, Prawaas is an initiative which will work as a level-playing ‘learning’ field between operators across the country. Mr. Patwardhan added, “BOCI decided that Prawaas 2017 should bring together leading Bus and Car operators from across India. That is why we will have operators from six important segments viz; Intercity, Intracity, School Bus, Employee Transport, Tour Operators and Maxi/Tourists Cabs. Despite working in different segment 70-80 per cent of our issues are the same. I appeal all the stake holders to join us in this journey (Prawaas) to make the experience of travel fruitful for all of us.”

K T Rajashekhara, CEO of SRS Travels, said, “Prawaas is certainly a great platform to put forward our challenges, opportunities in front of the country, especially in front of the government. Since all of us struggle to make the transport industry better, it should be given second most importance, first being given to agriculture. While our country is becoming better in mobile connectivity and Internet of Things, it is disheartening to see the public transport on road being given less priority. Everybody who relates to us and helps complete the passenger movement should join hands together and make the mission successful.”

Mohammed A. Afzal, Owner of Parveen Travels and General Secretary of BOCI, thanked everybody and wished good luck for the stake holders involved in planning the Prawaas Initiative. He said, “Since BOCI is recognized as a confederation very quickly in the line of some others who had been there since decades, we are working on the task of One India, One Tax, we are also working towards addressing common problems like Bus Terminals in various states. BOCI will work together with governments and all other stakeholders to increase the share of public transport in overall transportation by engaging in policy advocacy for the development of citizen friendly, safe and economically sustainable integrated public transport systems. Prawaas, therefore is an utmost important event for BOCI that will bring attention of the government officials towards the work we do. United we stand and United we will win. Let’s make this the best journey not just for India but also one of its kind in the world.”

Prawaas Exhibition

The Exhibition at Prawaas 2017 will be the heart of the event and will showcase the latest vehicles, products, technology and services. It will give access to quality trade, professional visitors and enhance opportunities to network with key decision makers from government and private sector and close business deals in a professional business environment.

Prawaas 2017 Conference

On the side lines of the show there will be conferences that will bring together all the stakeholders to deliberate on India’s vision for public transport and the role of road transport. These conferences will be addressed by over 80 national and international experts addressing diverse topics. Conference participation will ensure that you have an opportunity to capture emerging business trends as well as network with high profile CXOs and Policy Makers which will define the future of your business.

Prawaas Excellence Awards 2017

One of the important highlights of the show will be the Prawaas Excellence Awards. Under the observation of Ernst & Young and BOCI, the award is an effort to recognize the leaders and acknowledge their contributions towards best practices, services and innovations. The award will be in multiple categories covering all aspects of Bus & Car operator segment as well as performance of the other important stakeholders. An independent reputed consulting firm will curate the awards process. The award function will be a star-studded celebration to felicitate and congratulate the best performers in the sector.

Awards Categories (proposed)

Awards Private Sector Operators