Re 1 bus ride costs autos dear

Re 1 bus ride costs autos dear
Business Hit Badly As Commuters Lap Up Four-Day Offer On Volvo Trips
A T Subrahmanya | TNN

Bangalore: G Venkatesh, an auto driver from JP Nagar 6th Phase, has a worried look on his face. He has been scouting for passengers since morning for the past three days, but is unable to find many takers for his service. Reason: the premium Volvo buses are running in the city at a fare of just Re 1.
When BMTC announced the novel offer, citizens rejoiced at the thought of travelling in air-conditioned luxury for Re 1. However, one group — that of autorickshaw drivers — were severely affected as the common man who would otherwise use their services chose to travel in style on Volvos.
For Venkatesh, who drives a hired auto, this has come as a blow. He says “I have to earn at least Rs 500 per day, as the auto owner charges Rs 200 and a similar amount goes for gas. I need Rs 100 for survival. But ever since this one-rupee offer, it’s become very difficult to find commuters. Usually, I easily pick up several passengers outside bus stations in Majestic, Shivajinagar and other areas. Now I wait for hours and still find no takers; they’re all boarding Volvos.
Autorickshaw driver Srinivas, who has been running at a loss for the past two days, says several long-distance commuters who didn’t mind shelling out for the convenience of an auto, are now going in for the Volvo buses. The next-to-nothing fare has made them willing to put up with the crowds. “I hope everything will be back to normal from tomorrow,’’ he says, thankful that this isn’t a long-term offer.
Manjunath, president of Adarsha Auto Union, says this is a novelty and temporary phenomenon. If customers switch to other modes of transport, it’s because of the unsatisfactory service of auto drivers, he says. “It’s up to the drivers to get their share of business by displaying good service and conduct.’’
He even gives examples of commuters who use particular autos regularly as they get exemplary service from the drivers.
Record sales
BMTC’s chief traffic manager Dastagir Sharief said on the first day, 72,000 tickets were sold. The second day yielded sales of 97,000 tickets. The numbers are expected to be higher on Saturday and Sunday. Sharief said these promotional offers are intended to make people less hesitant about taking Volvos. “More people will take to it, especially young commuters,” he said. The BMTC has no plans of extending the offer, which has pinched the organization by over Rs 5 lakh per day.