BMTC to roll out low-fare AC buses

BMTC to roll out low-fare AC buses

Staff Reporter
Fare not yet finalised, says Ashok
— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Transport Minister R. Ashok inspecting the progress of work of the Traffic and Transit Management Centre at Shantinagar in Bangalore on Friday.
Bangalore: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will soon introduce 100 low-fare AC buses for those passengers who cannot afford to travel by the pricier Volvo services.

Besides, 700 new buses will be rolled out in the next four months on various routes, and old buses that are not in good condition will be withdrawn.

Talking to presspersons here on Friday after reviewing the progress of construction of BMTC’s Traffic and Transit Management Centre (TTMC) at Shantinagar, Transport Minister R. Ashok said that Rs. 326 crore had been earmarked for buying these new buses, including 200 additional Volvo buses.

He said that the fare structure of the proposed air-conditioned buses was yet to be finalised but promised that it would be affordable to many ordinary passengers.

Mr. Ashok said 100 new buses, including 20 Volvo buses, would be introduced in Mysore at a cost of Rs. 38 crore.

Also, Volvo bus services between Mangalore and Manipal would be started as soon as the Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA) granted permission to commence the service, Mr. Ashok said and added that the KSRTC had placed its request before the RTA.

Contractor fined
The Minister said the TTMC being built at Jayanagar would be ready in the next two months, and the contractor had been fined Rs. 18 lakh for not completing the work on time.

The TTMC being built at Shantinagar would be ready by July 2010. Eight more TTMCs were being built at Vijayanagar, Banashankari, Koramangala, ITPL, Kengeri, Bannerghatta, Yeshwantpur and Domlur.