1000 buses to improve connectivity

1000 buses to improve connectivity
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) plans to add 1,000 buses to its current fleet of 4,000 in 18 months to provide better connectivity and service to commuters.

Upendra Tripathy, Managing Director, BMTC said it was necessary to add more buses to cater to the needs of commuters.

“Poor and middle-class people are moving to the outskirts for various reasons. They depend on the BTMC buses since they can’t afford to have their own means of transportation. There are a number of BDA and private layouts coming up on the outskirts. To connect to these areas, we may require 1,000 more buses,” Tripathy said.

The BMTC is all set to introduce 25 Volvo buses by January 2006. “These buses are Euro III compliant and have the features like low and semi-low floor to facilitate aged people to board these buses without any difficulty,” Tripathy said.

Bangalore’s population has increased to around seven million and BMTC transports three million commuters a day.

“We used to operate only 2,500 buses two years back. When we decided to add 1,500 buses, many people were apprehensive about the viability of our plan. But we have succeeded in creating a demand for BMTC buses by decreasing the cost and increasing the number of buses.

“We also plan to increase women’s specials from 18 to 25 shortly. We may introduce mini-buses for this purpose,” he said.

Stating that BMTC buses provide safe travel, he said most deaths in accidents involved two-wheeler riders.

“All ticket and pass-holders are provided insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh in case of accidental death and up to Rs. 20,000 medical aid for those injured in an accident.