BMTCs Marco Polo buses hit City roads

BMTCs Marco Polo buses hit City roads
D H News Service, Bangalore:
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Sunday launched two new air-conditioned-low floor, Marco Polo buses manufactured by Tata Motors.

This would supplement the Volvo Vajra city buses already plying on City and airport routes in the premium segment. They were flagged-off by Minister for Transport R Ashok at the Kempegowda Bus Station.

Manufactured by Marco Polo Motors of Brazil in joint venture with Tata Motors at its bus facility in Dharwad at North Karnataka, they have been introduced on a trial basis by BMTC at present.

These buses have been provided to the BMRC for free by Tata Motors. They will run for three months before the corporation decides to induct them.

Ashok , while describing the buses as a ‘Rajyotsava’ gift to the bus commuters said, “The fares on the Marco Polo will be 50 percent lesser than the Vajra buses. The buses presently in use at New Delhi has a fare of between Rs 25 to Rs 45. But, here the BMTC proposes to fix the fare from Rs 5 to Rs 20” he said.

Commuter friendly
Equipped with a host of commuter friendly features, the new A/C bus has a ramp for the disabled, a button on each seat, where the commuter has to just press it to ensure the driver stops the vehicle and seat-belts. The bus costs Rs 55 lakh as against Rs 74 lakh of the Volvo bus.

Speaking on the occasion, Lusuir Grochof, the managing director of Tata Motors Marco Polo Limited said the company has a target to manufacture 100 buses a day at the Dharwad plant. “We plan to export them to South Africa, Italy and Europe. The plant has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4500 crore, with 6000 employees working” he said.

Grochof added the plant will be among the largest bus manufacture facilities in the world. “We have completed 90 percent construction of the plant. The chief minister would be invited to inaugurate the facility” he stated.

Routes and Fares
Kempegowda Bus Station (KBS) to Nelamanagala (Route No 258) with 15 stops enroute: Central College/Seshadripuram: Rs 5; Malleshwaram 8th/11th Cross: Rs 8; Yeshwantpur: Rs 10; Suryodaya Mill: Rs 12; CMTI: Rs 13; Jalahalli Cross/Dasarahalli: Rs 15; Makali/Dasanapura: Rs 16; Arisinakunte/ Binnamangala: Rs 18;
Nelamangala: Rs 20

Kempegowda Bus Station to Hosakote (Route No 317A) with 17 stops enroute: Maharani College/CVB: Rs 5; Corporation: Rs 8; Bangalotre Club: Rs 10; Mayo Hall/B-Station: Rs 12; Halasur: Rs 13; Isolation Hospital/K R Pura: Rs 15; Bhattrahalli: Rs 16; Avalahalli/Boodigere Cross: Rs 18; Hosakote: Rs 20.