Easy-to-use bus stands, just FYI

Easy-to-use bus stands, just FYI



Express Features First Published : 13 May 2009 04:59:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 14 May 2009 09:35:51 AM IST
BANGALORE: Still looking for excuses to not take the bus?There are A-C buses, luxury buses and other such highend facilities on the roads, but you still worry that the timings and the fares are confusing.
The BMTC is all set to put an end to the confusion commuters face while waiting at bus stands. To meet this challenge, the BMTC is planning to put up boards mentioning fares and timings of all high-end buses at various bus stands.
“Many BMTC commuters would like to travel in air-conditioned buses but are under the impression that fares are very high, which might not be true in every case. By putting up fare tables at a bus stop, with fares to different destinatons from that particular stop, we will make sure that our commuters know how much the tickets cost. They can compare the fares for different buses and then decide which bus they want to travel in. They must know about the fare pattern in all the buses,” said a BMTC official.
This initiative is believed to help, especially, Kendra Saarige, which offer flat prices starting from Rs 5, he added. BMTC would also display scheduled arrival timings of these buses at bus stops.
PIS soon
Keeping with the public demand and available technology in the field, the BMTC is planning to install Public Information Systems (PIS), now at any cost. Earlier, the corporation had planned to get the systems installed by Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Keltron).
Keltron’s revenue model, which based on advertisements.
Keltron has communicated to the BMTC its inability to install the systems due to recession. BMTC is now ready to invest from its own pockets on PIS.
“We will wait till the month-end to see if Keltron can take the project forward. We have by now realised that it was not a great idea to adopt the ad-based revenue model for this project and understanding the necessity of the systems to help our commuters plan their trips, we will go ahead with the installation from our own funds.