400 new buses to reduce congestion!

400 new buses to reduce congestion!
VIJAY TIMES NEWS

As many as 400 hi-tech buses will shortly be introduced to reduce traffic congestion in the City, said N Cheluvarayaswamy, Minister for Transport on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at the Mysore Satellite Bus Stand, he said, after introduction of Volvo City services, the usage of two and four wheelers has considerably reduced.

Inline with efforts to reduce traffic congestion, Upendra Tripathy, Managing Director of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and KSRTC, told Vijay Times, apart from addition of new buses, BMTC will introduce a branded service during peak hours shortly, aimed at providing efficient, economic, safe, reliable and punctual services to commuters, especially during peak hours. The branded service, to be encouraged for use by commuters, is aimed in this direction.

"Presently, an attractive design of buses to be used for the service is under preparation. Once the design is approved, BMTC will build the bodies," he added.

He said it may take between two and four months to introduce this service. The service will run between 7 am to 11 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm.

The Park and Ride facility, which was introduced from Aug 25 to ease traffic congestion, is also being encouraged. Under this facility, commuters can park their vehicles at the bus depots by paying a nominal parking fee each month. They can then take BMTC buses to their destinations in the morning and return by BMTC buses in the evening to take back their vehicles.

Dasthagir Sharief, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations), told Vijay Times, the facility is yet to gain popularity, but the programme is gaining popularity. Park and Ride is presently available at Vijaynagar (depot 5), Yeshwanthpura (depot 8), Kathriguppe (depot 13), Chandra Layout (depot 17), Jeevan Bimanagar Bus Station and Banashankari Bus Station, To popularise this, BMTC is also offering discount in parking fees to monthly pass holders.