Daily pass for Volvo buses by BMTC

Daily pass for Volvo buses by BMTC
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation introduced daily concession pass for Vajra Volvo buses on Monday.

The pass, named as “Gold Day Pass” priced at Rs 75, is valid for 24 hours and can be used in all Vajra city buses except BIAL airport services.

Disclosing the launch of the facility at a function to lay foundation stone for Traffic and Transit Management Centre at Domlur, Minister for Transport R Ashok said that the government intends to render the premium service affordable to common man. “We have introduced world class buses to encourage vehicle-using population to shift to public transport. We want to draw more people to public transport with the introduction of daily pass facility which allows the commuter to travel to any place any number of times in a day by paying just Rs 75,” he revealed.

Accident cover

Sold on board the Vajra buses,the newly-introduced pass provides coverage of Rs one lakh as accident relief in the eventuality of death or permanent disability in case of accidents involving BMTC buses and medical re-imbursement to a maximum of Rs 20,000 in case of injuries.

Passes for students

It will be a bonanza for government primary and middle school students, who travel by BMTC buses, from the next academic year.

Minister announced that free bus passes will be issued to students for travel on BMTC buses upto seventh standard in 2009-10.

TTMC bus terminus

Ashok said Domlur TTMC (Traffic and Transit Management Centre), a modern bus terminus of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) aims to provide 34 different types of civic amenities to the common man.

Everything from kiosks from BWSSB, BESCOM and BBMP and restaurants will be under one roof in a park and ride system in a TTMC, he said. The Domlur TTMC is being constructed at a cost of Rs 17.55 crore and will be ready within 11 months. This apart, BMTC is also constructing a TTMC at Bannerghatta at a cost of Rs 5 crore that is expected to be completed in nine months, the minister added.

SMART CARD BASED TICKET

Minister for Transport R Ashok on Monday announced that the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will introduce a ‘Smart Card’ in place of the present ticket system.

To be introduced on a trial basis in three bus depots, the smart-card based fares once introduced, can be recharged like the mobile phone currency, said the minister.

“We also plan to procure 3,950 new buses within the next one year from funds allocated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). While BMTC would procure 700 buses for the City, Mysore will get 150 buses at a cost of Rs 38.25 crore. A mix of both Volvo and ordinary buses will be purchased,” Ashok informed.

For long distance travel the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will also purchase 100 Volvo buses and 3,000 ordinary buses within the next 12 months he added.

Ashok also said with the decision taken recently to issue ‘Smart Card’ based driving licence and vehicle registration certificates, the Transport department would soon issue them to about 65 lakh people, within the next six months. Holders of the card will be entitled to an accident relief compensation of Rs one lakh, if killed in a road accident.

The card-based licence and certificate will also enable all details of its holder to be uploaded on the internet, he said.