BENGALURU: In an effort to provide connectivity in every nook and corner in the city, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has decided to run mini or compact buses.
In Bengaluru, about 40 lakh people depend on BMTC buses every day. But in some parts of the city, there are narrow roads. Also, BMTC buses do not go near some apartments where there is habitation. Similarly, BMTC is not reaching the last-mile connectivity of some Metro passengers. Therefore, to provide last-mile connectivity in the narrow roads of the city and benefit Metro passengers, new 7-metre-long BMTC mini feeder buses will be inducted into the fleet.
The government has approved operation of 200 mini buses in the first phase in this year’s budget. Mainly, these mini BMTC buses will serve as feeder services to the upcoming Namma Metro Pink Line and other major stations. There will be conductor, driver here also. In these new mini buses, if tap-to-pay facility comes, in coming days conductor-less buses can be operated. Passengers can pay automatically using digital cards, mobile phones or QR code. The BMTC is already examining 7-metre bus models of different companies.
“Running the 9-metre and 12-metre-long buses on narrow roads is difficult. This was discussed in the Cabinet and we have got approval in the budget to purchase new buses, including 7-metre buses. The Department of Urban Land Transport is studying the Metro stations where these 7-metre buses can be deployed. Based on their recommendation, we will deploy the buses”, BMTC managing director told Public TV.
Another important service is likely to be available to BMTC passengers from next month. Just like booking cab and autos on your mobile phone, BMTC ticket booking facility will be available on various aggregator companies’ apps. The department will provide live location information of BMTC buses to private aggregator companies. BMTC is working technically on this, and will enter into agreement with whichever private aggregator companies come. By tracking the bus live, passengers can travel in an integrated manner in Metro, autos and BMTC buses.
“The Namma BMTC 2.0 app gives details about the movement of buses and it also helps to book Metro tickets also. There was demand for making BMTC tickets available on private aggregator apps too for integrated journeys and hence, we will explore sharing the e-data with private aggregators”, Raghunandan Murthy said.
