Scooterists hop on to Volvos

Scooterists hop on to Volvos
The Times of India

Bangalore: By keeping their two- or four-wheelers at home, Bangaloreans are increasingly plumping for ‘comfortable’ public transport.
The efforts of Bangalore Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (BMTC) seem to be paying off, if one were to go by its survey results.
Of the 900 respondents BMTC spoke to, 882 of them have actually switched from their own modes of transport to bright-red Volvo buses for commuting daily. BMTC chief controller of traffic Dastagir Sharrief told TOI that features like installation of TV sets apart from laptop facilities have been readily accepted by the commuters, 99.6% of whom have rated Volvos as ‘very comfortable’.
Also, travelling in a Volvo is definitely an experience, as 91% of the respondents vouch for this. Keeping in mind the main grouse of the passengers in the previous survey that the cost was very high, BMTC has drastically cut fares on most routes. The fareslash ranges between Rs 5 and Rs 15.
While 89% of respondents in September 2006 said they had switched over to Volvo, the number has gone up to 98% six months down the line.
The corporation collected the feedback between April 5 and 7 from commuters taking various Volvo routes.
“This trend is encouraging. In three months, the city will have another 20 Volvos added to the present 50. These buses are comfortable and the fares have also been reduced to attract more passengers,” Dastagir said.
Whatever may be the reason for the switch, if the trend were to continue, Bangalore might see a reduction in carbon emissions and traffic congestion. And get back its sobriquet — “airconditioned city”.
SHIFTING WAYS
882 out of 900 shift to Volvo 277 from two-wheelers 178 from four-wheelers 165 from autorickshaws 262 from other BMTC or
office buses