Efforts on to popularize Volvo buses

Efforts on to popularize Volvo buses
Vijay Times

THOUGH many commuters in the City expressed their happiness with the Volvo bus services, the much awaited gift that came from the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), authorities are of the opinion that not many Bangaloreans are availing the services.

On par with international standards and running in five different routes, the buses are user-friendly, especially to the old and physically challenged. But at each trip, the buses with a total capacity of 70 to 80 seats are seen carrying not more than 25 to 30 passangers.

Commenting on the comfort these buses provided, Akaash, a commuter, said, "Volvo buses are comfy and I dont mind paying that extra bit." "The crowd in the usual BMTC buses are not always good and rickshaws are expensive. The Volvo buses, which cost somewhere in between, do provide comfort at a lesser cost than autos," says Reema, another passenger.

However, both of them levelling at the low frequency of these buses, said that they had travelled in these buses only for a countable number of times.

"Initially, the minimum fare was Rs 10, which was soon hiked to Rs 12. At present, the minimum fare is Rs 15 and I dont think these buses are made for common man. Not everyone can afford it regularly," says Dinesh, another commuter.

Moreover, the authorities havent yet started the yearly pass system. The golden pass system worth Rs 1,300 on a monthly basis is still on paper.

According to chief traffic manager Dastagir Sharieff, "It will take some time to popularise Volvo buses. We hope that in another couple of months, these buses will start pulling adequate crowd." "At present Volvo buses are running under loss. The cost of each Volvo bus comes to around Rs 70 lakhs. Besides, there is maintainance cost as well. However our motive was to make Volvo, service oriented in the initial stage. It will definitely make profit with time and we are optimistic about it," he said.

"Though the total occupancy in peak hours in around 60 to 65 per cent of its total capacity, Volvo has become quite popular in a couple of routes including the KBS (kempegowda Bus Station) to ITPL route and KBS to Electronic City route," he added. As per the frequency of these buses are concerned, Sharieff said, there are buses once in every half-anhour in almost all routes.