Bangalore rides high on Volvos

Bangalore rides high on Volvos
417 Of 500 Preferred These To Other Vehicles
The Times of India

Bangalore: The cheery red Volvo buses that cruise through the Bangalore roads have won the city over. A survey conducted by BMTC in July has shown that a whopping 417 out of a sample size of 500 passengers have given up travelling on twowheelers, cars and regular BMTC buses to take a Volvo to work.

Moreover, 478 have rated the overall experience of travelling in a Volvo bus as enjoyable and comfortable. Only 11 have rated the plush ride uncomfortable. Likewise, 461 said the seating arrangement is comfortable. As many as 309 found the ambience relaxing and 132 have rated it a “soothing” ride.

As for the exteriors, the bus has found positive feedback from 452 passengers. And 491 have certified the crew as courteous and polite.

However, 245 passengers said that the present fare is too high. BMTC, which runs the 25 buses on a cost of Rs 52 per kilometre, rakes in only Rs 40 per kilometre. Nevertheless, a go-between has been worked out, wherein the fares will revert to the old fare (around 8 to 10 per cent less) during non-peak hours.
“We’re planning to install a clock in the bus that will be red during peak hours and white during non-peak hours so that passengers know when it’s peak hour,” says BMTC managing director Upendra Tripathy. Peak hours are between 8 am and 11 am; 4 pm to 8 pm.

BMTC plans to make the survey a bi-monthly affair. “This will give us greater insight into the passenger’s needs. Even now, we’re looking to eliminate the complaints of the minority in this survey.”

Tripathy is confident that the introduction of 25 more buses will only ease the congestion on the roads. “This will prove to be a major solution to our traffic problems.”

The next 25 buses will be further spruced up with improvised refurbished seats as well as mobile and laptop charging points. A separate passenger survey will soon be conducted to freeze in on the routes of the next batch of buses.

ALL ABOUT NUMBERS
Earlier mode of transport for passengers BMTC buses — 197 Two-wheelers — 131 Cars — 89 Others — 29 Current routes
* Kempegowda bus stand to Electronic City * Kempegowda bus stand to ITPB * Kempegowda bus stand to JP Nagar 6th Phase * Shivajinagar bus stand via MG Road to ITPB * Central Silk Board junction to Hebbal Ring Road