Study to suggest ways to decongest KBS

Study to suggest ways to decongest KBS

Staff Reporter
Destination-oriented buses skipping Majestic planned
Automated fare collection system on the anvil

Sale of passes has increased manifold

BANGALORE: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has constituted a study to suggest ways and means to decongest the Kempegowda Bus Station (KBS) by dissuading people from coming to Majestic to get connecting buses.

Consultant
Speaking at an interactive session organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) here on Monday, BMTC Managing Director Syed Zameer Pasha said a consultant has been appointed for the purpose. BMTC will get the report in four weeks and suitable action will be taken later, he said.

Instead of forcing people to come all the way to Majestic to get connecting buses, BMTC will operate destination-oriented buses, skipping Majestic area, Mr. Pasha said broadly outlining the plan.

Speaking about future plans of the corporation, Mr. Pasha reiterated the oft-repeated promise of introducing global positioning system (GPS) to track the buses and ensure on-time performance. He said future plans are in place to make BMTC more transparent and encourage commuters to use the public transport facilities more frequently.

Strict tab
GPS will help the corporation to keep a strict tab on the driving habits of drivers, including skipping of the trips, haphazard parking of buses at way-side bus stops, not stopping at designated stops and rash driving, Mr. Pasha noted.

With better monitoring, the fleet could be utilised to the optimum level, he felt.

The Managing Director said introduction of automated fare collection system was on the anvil. After Namma Metro begins to chug, Mr. Pasha said, BMTC may see a drop of around 25 per cent in ridership and revenue.

However, this will enable the corporation to concentrate more on the peripheral areas and neighbouring taluks, he said and hoped that BMTC will not be affected by Metro operations.

Mr. Pasha said the sale of the number of passes, both monthly and daily, had increased manifold.

The sale of monthly pass passengers has increased from 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh in a year while the number of those travelling purchasing daily passes has increased from 60,000 to 1.5 lakh during the last one year, he added