The main responsibility of State Transport Service is to provide efficient and economic public transport service to the islanders of the Union Territory. The present strength of STS is 330Buses with age profile varying between 0-10 years including few buses which are in the process of condemnation.

To provide reliable, comfortable, affordable public road transport service in all the Islands wherever motorable roads exist.

In March, 1956 the State Transport Service a commercial wing of the MT Department was set up for the purpose of providing Road Transport Service to the people of South Andaman. Commenced operation with two mini buses and two make shift buses (lorries converted into buses) in the South Andaman regions.

Until late sixties, the Department was operating from a small office and workshop, was located inside the premises of the present Marine dockyard under the control of Harbour Master.Under the control of the I. G. (Police) from 1980 to1982.

In February 1982 the post of Director of Transport was filled on deputation basis and the department started functioning under the control of a full time Director of Transport (DoT).STS gradually spread its service network and as on today service is provided in 12 Islands through 14 STS Units.

The Geographical Constraints

This UT has 572 Islands divided into 3 Districts and the STS operates its services in 12 Islands from 14 STS units spread over from Diglipur in North to Campbell Bay in south with a distance of about 750 KM between them. Difficult for both the citizens and officials of Transport Department to reach all these Islands in the event of necessity.

The Operational Constraints

Even for operating a single bus in smaller Islands, minimum 10 employees (3 BDs, 3 BCs, 3WS staff & 1 Checking-cum-supervisory staff) are required to be posted. No Possibility of outsourcing of works related to repair & maintenance in these Islands except Port Blair. Required to maintain minimum inventory in all the STS Units. Though the population is very less in some islands particularly in the Tribal District, it is the responsibility of the Administration to provide bus service on these non profitable routes. Hilly and undulated terrain, uneven roads and saline weather condition on these monsoon dominated islands invites more strain on the vehicle thereby increasing the frequency of repair compare to other parts of the country.