Chocolates for bus riders on May 4, fourth Bus Day

Chocolates for bus riders on May 4, fourth Bus Day

Shwetha S. Bangalore

As this month's Bus Day arrives, transport minister R Ashoka asked corporators to ride buses on May 4 to inspire others in their wards. "We have requested all corporators to travel by bus on this Bus Day. This will go some way in motivating the people to use public transport, and the roads will get less congested, gradually," he said.
While corporators are being urged to ride buses, the Outer Ring Road Companies' Association (ORRCA) too has been throwing its weight behind Bus Day, observed on the fourth of each month. "We have been giving chocolates and 'Thank You' cards to commuters. We are also rewarding those who follow lane discipline," ORRCCA general secretary, Vishwanth Seetharam, said, adding, "Passengers commuting on the Outer Ring Road towards ITPL will be the focus of our efforts. We have deployed security guards to monitor drivers, and those keeping within the designated lanes while driving will be rewarded with chocolates and 'thank you' cards."
In some corridors of the city, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation has decided to start the 'Traffic Safety and Lane Discipline' drive. A senior BMTC official said, "We have already started the new initiative, 'Traffic Safety and Lane Discipline' on April 24. We will be seeking the help of city traffic police in enforcing discipline in traffic movement."
BMTC will be monitoring the adherence of bus services to their schedules; a drive to ensure that the display boards showing the routes of the buses are clear, and that bus drivers actually halt at all designated bus stops, will also be started.
Y Ashwath, corporator of the Kempegowda ward, said that he would heed the call of transport minister R Ashoka: "Though we have not received any formal instructions from the minister about corporators travelling by bus, I will make sure that whether or not I receive any instructions, I use the bus service on Bus Day. This I will do voluntarily; there is no need for any instruction."