Bangalore rounds: BMTC may soon rope in private partners

Bangalore rounds: BMTC may soon rope in private partners
Deccan Herald


The grand air-conditioned bus service — Bangalore Rounds — introduced by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation to take visitors around Bangalore may soon rope in private partners into its operations. For the BMTC, which currently owns and manages Bangalore Rounds, is toying with the idea of involving private partners to take care of marketing and fill seats.

According to sources, BMTC is not averse to the idea of roping private partners to take care of ticket sales. “Private partners have a better marketing network with tourist operators. Besides, the idea would be a good one if the service is to be made more accessible to the public at any point of time,” sources said and added that the decision will not affect the fares in any manner. BMTC, however, is yet to finalise on this.

Meanwhile, the king-size blue and white Curitiba bus has been tickling the curiosity of many a passer-by in select parts of the City. What’s appealing the most is that one gets to see all of the City from the comfort of a plush seat and air-conditioned interiors.

Bangalore Rounds takes you around some of the heritage places in Bangalore amidst all its grandeur. The only drawback would be periods of silence while one is commuting. The driver-cum-guide, pitches in with a commentary in English and Kannada at select points. But the rest of the way is more or less silent, when the period may actually be used to enlighten the visitor about Bangalore.

CALL BEFORE YOU BOARD!

Tourists are advised to call in advance and ascertain whether the service is operational for the day. On March 4, the bus developed technical problems and tourists were taken around Bangalore in the normal Pushpak service at Rs 50 per head.

Further, the occupancy has been reported to be poor despite BMTC’s claim of an average of 60 per cent occupancy per day with some downs on rainy days, exam days and so on. There were only 10 people aboard the bus on the day this reporter availed of the service. The average income to the BMTC from this service has been between Rs 4,500 and Rs 5,000, according to the BMTC Subhashnagar depot.

KEEP THESE IN MIND

Bangalore Rounds begins at 8.30 am; bus may or may not leave on time but tourists must be there on time

35 seats on first-come-first-serve basis

Ticket priced at Rs 200/head on weekdays; Rs 250/head for 32 seats on weekends; Rs 350 for three special seats on weekends (exclusive of entry tickets and lunch).

Services provided on board include a 500 ml bottle of water, a CCTV playing tourism promos for 30 minutes; Hindi film songs and newspapers

Brief information by driver about places listed for sight-seeing

Visitors can call the previous day and register their names

Call 22952422 / 22952314 for information and registration Passengers can offer suggestions on sight-seeing places that could be included

TOUR DETAILS

First stop :ISKCON

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

Bull Temple at Basavanagudi

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Break for lunch at Pai Viceroy in Jayanagar

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens

Venkatappa Art Gallery, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Cubbon Park

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium / Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain

Ulsoor Lake