BMTC gives air travellers smooth ride home

BMTC gives air travellers smooth ride home
Introduces Air-Conditioned Buses From Airport Targeting Frequent Fliers
The Times of India

Bangalore: Ground reality after flying high, this. For the fleeced flight traveller, respite from transport after landing in the city comes in the form of BMTC buses.

Treading cautiously with a few air-conditioned buses, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has introduced a fleet exclusively from the airport to junctions in and around Subashnagar (Kempe Gowda bus stand).

Some five buses dedicated to this operate 60 trips a day. BMTC officials contend that airport authorities have earmarked separate space for buses, close to the airport’s exit.

Apart from extending mass transport, the objective, says BMTC managing director Upendra Tripathy, is also to make travelling as environmentally friendly as possible. “It’s like a pooling system, with this we are saving either 25 cars or autos for the same number of people. And the city’s traffic certainly needs a system like this.’’

But a bus after a flight? “Many Indian software engineers who are returning home don’t really mind it, they are used to clean, efficient buses abroad. So we are hoping that this will take off well with frequent fliers,’’ adds Tripathy.

At a fixed fare of Rs 15, the service is operative from 8 am to 9 pm. Explains BMTC chief traffic manager Dastagir Sharief, “We felt it would be good patronage and security for people coming out of the airport. And it is absolutely inexpensive compared to the other choices. The auto drivers have this tendency of thinking that a flier is automatically a rich person and so charge exorbitant amounts. If you’re supposed to pay Rs 50, you end up paying Rs 300. Ditto with the taxis and cabs. Buses save the traveller from such harassment.’’

Despite ambitious plans, the caveat though is that the airport services on which BMTC has invested Rs 10 lakh a bus, are apparently running under loss presently. According to Sharief, the BMTC can make more money if more routes are introduced. “We will break even if the fare is hiked to Rs 17 but that is still some time away.’’ And there are plans to upgrade the buses to Volvos in a while.

But is the frequent flier game for the idea? Says techie Anil Kakde of Wipro, “An air-conditioned bus after a flight journey is great news. Not only does it benefit me when I’m flying but I also often go to see off friends or receive them. So I’d be happier if these services are introduced during the nights and early mornings too. That’s when passengers are fleeced the most by autos and taxis.’’ Land India after Air India then?

HIGHLIGHTS
5 buses have been dedicated to operate 60 trips a day
Separate space earmarked near airport’s exit
Buses operate from 8 am to 9 pm, fixed fare Rs 15