Operational Efficiency of Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services: An Empirical Study from 2009-10 to 2022-23

This paper examines the operational efficiency of Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) through an empirical analysis spanning 2009–10 to 2022–23. The study relies on secondary data obtained from the annual reports and official records of APSTS. Key operational efficiency parameters assessed include: Percentage Fleet Utilisation, Over-aged Vehicles, Revenue-Earning Km, Dead Km, Vehicle Productivity, Passenger Carried Per Vehicle Per Day, Occupancy Ratio, Staff Productivity, Staff-Vehicle Ratio, Fuel Efficiency, Cost per Km, Revenue per Km, and Operating Ratio. The analysis employed appropriate tools such as ratio analysis, percentage trend analysis and graphs, which assess not only operational efficiency but also examine trends and variations in operational efficiency over time. The findings revealed that the operational efficiency of APSTS was significantly lower than the national average. Additionally, the percentage trend analysis indicates significant fluctuations in operational efficiency levels across different years during the study period, reflecting various structural, financial, and operational challenges faced by APSTS. The study also identifies areas of operational weakness and suggests scope for enhancing operational efficiency through improved resource utilisation and policy interventions. This research contributes to the limited empirical literature on state road transport undertakings in North-Eastern India and offers valuable insights for policymakers and transport administrators.