Some good news: Volvo buses coming

Some good news: Volvo buses coming
The Times of India

Bangalore: Stop cursing the bus service. Thumb your nose at the obstinate automan. The BMTC promises that its spanking new air-conditioned Volvo buses will be reasonably attractive for you to ditch the automan and your private transport too.

Straight off the assembly line of Switzerland, the buses will roll out on January 17. Initially three buses will hit the roads. The remaining 22 will be fully operational from the first week of March, explains BMTC MD Upendra Tripathy. The fares are still being debated, but on a promotional basis, BMTC proposes to have Re 1 per km per passenger. The initial routes have been designed to cater to the dense population traversing from the city to ITPL and Electronic City. Accordingly two routes are in place for the large segment from Majestic bus terminus. Each of the Volvo buses has a seating capacity of 38 passengers and an overall carrying capacity of 84 passengers. “We want to make it attractive to someone who’s hooked to their own vehicle. The aim is to make a bus-ride feel good. By initially catering to people in south and east Bangalore and those who use ring-roads, the traffic situation is eased considerably’’ explains chief traffic manager Dastgir Sharief.

“Bangalore is the only Indian city to have air-conditioned buses for the public transport sector,’’ declares P S Sandhu, director, security and vigilance, BMTC. Unlike any other bus introduced in the city, the Volvo apparently has the advantage of being disabled-friendly with its low floor access and the floor of the bus can adjust itself and tilt accordingly. 30 drivers are being trained.
FEATURES


• Air-conditioned, Euro 3 model
• Non-polluting, wide door, low floor, has a public address system
• GPS to track speed and location
• Wheel-chair friendly
• LED display boards

ROUTES FOR THE FIRST 3 BUSES

• Srinagar top Domlur: Central Silk Board — Banashankari — Koramangala — Domlur
• Majestic to Electronic City: Majestic — Corporation — Madivala — Bommanahalli —Electronic City
• Majestic to ITPL: M G Road — Manipal Centre — HAL — Marathahalli — ITPL