BPO plans new staff transport system

BPO plans new staff transport system
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: It was over a cup of coffee that the Sykes staff discussed the rising transportation cost for the company. While they debated and brainstormed, they stumbled upon an idea – a single window transport system for the Business Process Outsourcing units across the city.

‘‘We are now networking with the other BPOs in the city. Most of them seem excited. A meeting will be organised and we would chalk out an action plan,’’ said Raghavendra Sridhar, manager, Infrastructure and Facilities, Sykes. The meeting has been slated for January 28 at Hotel Le Meridien. Transport department officials will participate.

There are over 6,000 vehicles running in Bangalore daily to pick and drop employees of BPOs. Most of these shuttles are run by private transport operators, he said. ‘‘We foot a bill of about Rs. 40 lakh every month. I am confident this expense will come down by at least 40 per cent if we have a single window system.’’

According to the preliminary plans, a global positioning system (GPS) will be fitted into buses for mapping the city’s BPO requirement. ‘‘We would then assign buses to operate on different shifts, catering to employees of different BPOs. A hub for the operators will be created. Booking for buses will be made at this hub alone,’’ said Raghavendra Rao, head of transport, Sykes.

‘‘It saves us time as well. And it is a win-win situation. The private operators will make profit by providing GPS systems, which they already have,’’ he said.

Rajesh N, head of the Work Force Management in a company added, ‘‘The idea initially sounded far fetched. Today, it looks possible.’’