BMTC plan to smoothen ride to new airport

BMTC plan to smoothen ride to new airport
S Praveen Dhaneshkar, DH News Service, Bangalore:
In a joint initiative with the Bangalore International Airport Ltd, the BMTC could not only put 40 Volvo buses on dedicated bus lanes, exclusively for ferrying airline passengers to and from the City centre, but also provide connectivity to all star hotels.

Travelling the nearly 40 km to the international airport at Devanahalli from the City centre, could turn out to be cool affair for global travellers, if the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation has its way.
In a joint initiative with the Bangalore International Airport Ltd, the BMTC could not only put 40 Volvo buses on dedicated bus lanes, exclusively for ferrying airline passengers to and from the City centre, but also provide connectivity to all star hotels.
Says BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathy, “Talks are on with BIAL to offer customised Volvos that would be akin to the cherry-red ‘Vajra’ city buses. It will have fewer seats and more spacious luggage racks. Our aim is to make things easier for the international traveller.”
BMTC has even sought from the BDA 10 acres of land on the express highway between Hebbal and Devanahalli for an exclusive Volvo depot to provide faster reach to the airport.

In sync with flights
“Initial discussions with BIAL have focused on the nitty-gritty of providing logistical support, meant to put bus timings in sync with flight arrivals/departures.
The aim is to discourage private mode of transport. While commuting to the airport by cars would take an hour, a dedicated bus lane could transport airline passengers in half that time,” Mr Tripathy adds.
Luxury hotels may also be asked to chip in and have Volvos attached to them, wherein buses would transport travellers on arrival straight to the hotel of their choice. This, BMTC officials say, will spare airport commuters the hassles of traffic snarls, a common sight on City roads.

Suggested
The State-run corporation has suggested implementation of the initiative to the principal secretary (Infrastructure) and requested the government for early approval, so that it happens in time for the touchdown of the first international flights in the City early next year.