More routes, branding on anvil

More routes, branding on anvil
Bengaluru


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Awa-re of the poor response to the HOHO bus service, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corportion is looking at ways to make it more popular.
BMTC chief traffic manager K.S.Vishwanath says leaflets and maps of the HOHO bus service routes will soon be distributed and an aggressive brand building exercise will be taken up in a few days.

ABIDe too is unwilling to write off the service as a failure. Says a member R.K.Misra, “It has been a soft launch. We are still experimenting. More routes are being considered and facilities may be provided for commuters to park their vehicles before they catch the buses. The idea is to cater to areas where people work and shop, providing them the facility of hopping on and off the buses as they please in a circular route.” The convenient service runs clockwise between The Oberoi and Trinity Circle , and anti-clockwise between Taj Residency and the Police Housing Corporation and stops are provided on request. Experts say there are a number of reasons why the service has few takers despite the comfort it offers the commuter.

A big reason in their view is the BMTC’s failure to fix a flat rate of Rs 5 for the ticket as suggested by ABIDe.

“The BMTC is charging Rs 10. It should have come out with Rs 5 at least as an introductory offer,” says an ABIDe member.

Others feel lack of publicity and unscientific routes are the culprits. Says logistic service expert Dr Mohandas Gowda, “The HOHO bus service was launched at the eleventh hour without an ad campaign. So most people in the target group are not even aware of the pickup points.

This only shows how irresponsible BMTC officials have been.” BMTC traffic consultant prof. M N Shrihari says a majority of the commuters want the HOHO service to run to the Majestic area. “We will soon do something about this,” he adds.