BMTC’s Volvo fleet plying intra-city

BMTC’s Volvo fleet plying intra-city
Wednesday May 7 2008 10:42 IST

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BANGALORE: THE luxury Volvo buses of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are plying intra-city, instead of between the city and Devanahalli, losing at least Rs 25 per kilometre, as the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) has not begun operating yet. On March 30, the BMTC launched 40 luxury Volvo 'Vayu Vajra' buses and 100 'Suvarna Peak Hour' ordinary buses to the BIA from various localities, including Electronic City, J P Nagar 6th Phase, KSRTC Mysore Road Bus Terminus,Whitefield (ITPL), Jeevan Bhima Nagar, Koramangala and the HAL Airport.

These buses were procured at a cost of Rs 70 lakh each. Even the maximum fare of Rs 200 and the minimum ticket fare of Rs 70 was fixed.

However, as the opening of the BIA was postponed, the BMTC services had to be put off. The BMTC, operating intra-city, is facing heavy losses. Speaking to the this website’s News Paper, BMTC Chief Traffic Manager (Operation) Dastagir Shariff said that the BMTC Volvo buses are supposed to earn Rs 50 per km. But it is earning Rs 25 per km. The batteries of the buses will grow weak if left idle. This has forced us to operate them, despite the loss, said Shariff.

''Since the buses have been built with a configuration to cater to airport passengers, we cannot run them on city routes,'' officials said.

'Vayu Vajra' buses have a capacity of 30 seats and have customised interiors with room for baggage within the cabin area. ''Commuters travelling within the city do not need baggage space,'' a driver said. Vayu Vajra buses have been operating within the city from April 24.