BMTC passengers ask for more Volvo buses

BMTC passengers ask for more Volvo buses

The Hindu

The Rs. 75-lakh bus seems to be a big hit with technocrats


BANGALORE: The low-floor, hi-tech Volvo buses have made a difference to passengers used to bumpy rides. Cruising majestically, these red buses have everything that the high technology doctor ordered. "It is catchy, cool and comfortable," gushed a first time passenger as she discovered the basics of pleasurable travel on a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus.

Judging by the passengers' responses, the bus has been a big hit. The Volvo city vehicle B74 provides enough space for 38 people to sit and 45 to stand, all in an air-conditioned set-up.

An exclusive feature of the Volvo is the footboard that can be lowered by seven inches to help the disabled and senior citizens to board the bus easily. This lowering of the footboard is called the "kneeling mechanism." There is a detachable folder attached to the centre door made of steel sheet, where the supporting instruments of the handicapped could be established.

The vehicle has a powerful engine at the back. Hence the seats at the front are lower and it goes higher as one progress towards the back. "The cost of the bus is more than Rs. 75 lakh, but we are charging only Rs. 1.30 per km (which is 2.5 times more than ordinary bus)," said Sampangi Ramegowda, BMTC Depot Manager at the Kempe Gowda Bus Station.

"Since it is more economical than cars, we have a lot of technocrats as passengers in the HAL-ITPL route and electronic city route."

"The comfortable and pollution-free atmosphere inside the bus attracts a whole lot," said Raj, conductor of a Volvo service on the ITPL-Kempe Gowda Bus Station route.

"The driving is technologically controlled and my work is much easier, pushing forward and reverse buttons. Moreover, there is the multimedia monitor which shows the image captured by the camera kept at the rear," said bus driver Jairamu.

The BMTC has begun this practice of distributing feedback forms to all passengers. According to one such feedback report, all passengers felt the journey was comfortable. The interior ambience was "relaxing" but they wanted the frequency of Volvo service to be increased. With another 1,000 Volvo buses to come onto the city roads soon, the frequency question might just be answered.