BMTC to introduce Volvo buses from new year

BMTC to introduce Volvo buses from new year

The Hindu

Move aimed at encouraging two-wheeler users to travel by bus

# While 25 buses will be taken on contract, BMTC will deploy 25 on its own
# All buses to be equipped with Global Positioning System
# To be initially operated on select busy routes

BANGALORE: Bangaloreans will have a pleasant surprise as a New Year gift from the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) in the form of air-conditioned, low floor and auto transmission Volvo buses of Euro-III model.

While 25 buses are to be taken on contract from private operators, BMTC will deploy another 25 on its own, officials told The Hindu . BMTC will provide the conductor for private buses, while the private operator has to provide the driver. All these buses are to be equipped with Global Positioning System to track their movement and the private operator will be paid as per the distance indicated by GPS.

Officials said that three private operators have come forward to offer buses on contract and the agreement process will be finalised soon. On the other hand, building of the prototype vehicle for BMTC is in the final stage and once it is found suitable, other buses would be built.

The buses will have six-speed auto transmission gear boxes for better fuel efficiency, kneeling mechanism to increase and reduce the floor height, disc brakes on all wheels with Electronic Braking System (EBS) for best possible road safety, minimum turning radius of 10.5 metres, tubeless tyres and Euro III complaint as standard fitment.

The move is aimed at encouraging two-wheeler and car users to travel in BMTC buses with comfort and in less time, say officials. Initially, the buses would be deployed on select few busy routes, including the Outer Ring Road (ORR) route and depending upon the response, the services would be extended to other routes. While the shortest route would be between Kempe Gowda Bus Station (KBS) and J.P. Nagar 6th Phase, the longest would be the circular route from Banashankari to Banashankari on the ORR.

The Corporation is confident that two-wheeler and car users would be tempted to use the hi-tech buses that offer air-conditioned ambience, faster travel and cheaper mode of transport.

BMTC has proposed to ply these hi-tech buses initially on the following routes: KBS to JP Nagar 6th Phase; Banashankari to Banashankari (ORR); Srinagar to Domlur; KBS to Koramangala; KBS to Electronics City and KBS to Whitefield.