BMTC hopes to make commuters feel secure

BMTC hopes to make commuters feel secure
Deccan Herald

The Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) has been asked to prepare a security system to ensure safety of travellers as well as of BMTC’s property.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), following a recent directive from the State government, has requested the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) to prepare a report on necessary security measures that should be put in place to ensure security to commuters, staff and their vehicles.

“Last week, we held a meeting with the CISF, and in two weeks’ time they are supposed to submit their report on the technology to be used and other measures that can be put in place immediately. We have asked them to develop a cost-effective and functional system with centralised monitoring security parameters,” BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathy said.

State Transport Minster Mallikarjun Kharge had recently directed the BMTC to put certain security systems in place for continuous and centralised monitoring of all potentially important places.

“We have been asked to strictly control access and exit from the depots and our offices through smart cards,” he added.

Electronic ticketing

Around 32 lakh people travel every day in the BMTC buses. The Corporation has a fleet of 4,000 buses.

Besides the security measures, the BMTC has launched electronic ticketing machine as a pilot project in some of its buses. “We have issued 50 such machines in the Yelahanka depot. The project is currently under study. If found successful, then we will gradually phase out the paper ticket. The idea is to give the electronic machine to each conductor so that they do not have to carry tickets, write way bills while on the move and face enquiries for mismatches, if any. So far the conductors have welcomed this machine. We are likely to procure 4,000 machines with card reading facility,” said Mr Tripathy.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), who started it first with their 101 Volvo buses, have offered it to all the conductors. “With the electronic machines, we may not need a printing press in the future to print tickets. Besides issuing the tickets, the machine gives ready made collection, passenger and other data. There is no fear of corruption, as it is tamper proof and is continuously monitored by the security department,” he added.

Feedback system

In a bid to develop a feedback system for improving its bus services, the BMTC has formulated the ‘BMTC commuter advisory and facilitation committee’.

The newly-formed committee will cover issues on the corrective action to improve services, enhance rapport between the commuter and the BMTC, resolve grievances of commuters and come up with new ventures to improve services, stated a release.

The committee is chaired by BMTC General Manager (Tech) and members include K S Vishwanath, CTM (C), Dasthagir Sharief CTM (O), BMTC and N K Basavaraj, Senior Depot Manager, among others.