KSRTC's new `Awatar' by 2006

KSRTC's new `Awatar' by 2006

The Hindu

# Wait listing for bus tickets to be introduced
# Flexi fares on select routes
# Joint venture partner to be identified for transit centre project

Bangalore: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will have a new "Awatar" on trial basis in December and fully operational by January 2006.

"Awatar is the anytime anywhere advanced ticket reservation facility being developed for us by a consortium consisting of IBM, BEL and Indian Railways. To make it an online booking facility with secured payment gateways we are in talks with banks," KSRTC Managing Director M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy said.

He was speaking at an interactive meeting with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.

The pilot to run through December will enable online booking 24 hours, easy cancellation or change in reservation date, simultaneous booking of return ticket and a waiting list facility as in the railways, he said.

"We have developed the software and acquired the hardware required and by January passengers anywhere can use this facility," he added. It will be a first for any State Transport undertaking in the country.

Mr. Murthy presented visuals of the upgraded Kempe Gowda Bus Station, which is to become a main transit centre, constructed at a cost of Rs. 500 crore at the existing location. With a 45-floor building, to be partly used for multi-level parking for up to 5,000 cars and for commercial purposes, it will be the most modern bus station in the region. The commercial area alone will cover 25 lakh sq. ft.

"We are in the process of finalising a joint venture partner; it will be on a build-operate-transfer basis. There will be enough open space for landscaping, food courts, open-air theatres and all passenger amenities. The multi-level parking will solve the parking problem in the Gandhinagar area," Mr. Murthy said.

On the operational and commercial side, KSRTC is introducing "flexi fares" on select routes, much below those charged by private operators, and made possible because of heavy passenger traffic, he said. There will be a sub-stage system for short distance passengers and free luggage allowance will be increased to 30 kg. Courtesy coach services will be provided for long distance passengers.

"Electronic ticketing machines have made it possible to keep track of tickets issued on most buses. There are 5,000 machines in use now and they will be used in all routes by this year end," Mr. Murthy said.

The combined KSRTC fleet now had 101 Volvo buses; 1,027 new buses of all types were added in 2004-05 and this year so far 764 new buses were added.

Replying to a suggestion from FKCCI president S. Babu, Mr. Murthy said: "The idea that only buses be allowed to run in the central business district of the city shows how businesspersons have changed their thinking. In fact, more public transport, be it metro, monorail or even electric trolley cars will reduce traffic congestion. Using the space of three private cars, one city bus can carry 60 passengers," he added.