Rock ’n’ roll: BMTC to take you on musical ride

Rock ’n’ roll: BMTC to take you on musical ride
The Times of India

Bangalore: The blue-nwhite city buses are all set to offer the ultimate rock you need!

For, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is toying with the idea of installing a radio in every bus to make your journey jazzier than ever on the potholed roads of the city.

Still in the conceptualisation stage, the idea is in tune with the BMTC’s objective of increasing commuter comfort by adding new services, transport minister N Cheluvarayaswamy told The Times of India.

“Radio has twin effects — it will help commuters cope with the stresses of everyday life with music and at the same time update them on latest developments by airing news bulletins,’’ he said.

Radios already on here:
The BMTC has a fleet of 4,000 buses and every day about 32 lakh people travel in these. Of the 400 private buses that have been attached to BMTC, a good number of them (particularly that which ply on the outer ring road and mofussil routes) have already installed radios.

Moreover, several cities in the West have added music on their public transport. In fact, a survey by a private agency in England sometime ago showed that 71 per cent of commuters favoured music on public transport. Psychologists gave a new dimension to the study stating listening to music enroute to work would keep the person livelier for a few hours.

However, not everyone in the BMTC is enthused about radios on buses. “Playing music will distract the drivers and risk commuter safety. In fact, it was for these reasons the use of mobile phones on the buses was prohibited,’’ a BMTC official said.

When loud music is being played the drivers tend to get more aggressive, the official said and added it will give more room for road-rage. But the drivers see no logic in it. “Music breaks the monotony of driving through the same busy roads, peps up our spirits and keeps us more alert while at the wheel,’’ said Venkataram, a driver on route number 317.

He questioned: “If movies are allowed to be screened in long distance buses and car owners can play music while driving, why single out BMTC drivers.’’

Cheluvarayaswamy, who feels that the BMTC should move with changing lifestyles, said he would soon convene a meeting of officials to discuss the issue of installing radios. The cost factor will also be worked out, he said.