BENGALURU: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) express bus service, which was launched in June, has been a huge success, with over 60,000 passengers traveling on the 11 routes every day with 107 buses operating daily. The buses, which operate with limited stops, have been fetching a revenue of whopping Rs 5 crore per month.
People often have a negative perception of government-run bus services, but the BMTC’s express bus service has defied expectations. Despite the general skepticism, the express buses have gained immense popularity among regular Bengaluru commuters.
Passengers no longer have to endure 30-40 stops to reach their destination. The buses have been a gamechanger for commuters, providing a convenient and efficient way to travel across the city.
The 11 routes on which the Express buses operate include:
- Banashankari to Harohalli
- Banashankari to Attibele
- Kempegowda Bus Station to Bidadi
- Kempegowda Bus Station to Nelamangala
- Kempegowda Bus Station to Anekal
- Kempegowda Bus Station to Doddaballapur
- Kempegowda Bus Station to Dasarahalli
- Kempegowda Bus Station to Nelamangala
- Tin Factory to Hoskote
- Hebbal Central to Silk Board
The BMTC plans to increase the frequency of the Express buses to every 5 minutes on these routes. Additionally, three new routes are being planned to be introduced soon.
Prabhakar Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager, said that the department is getting revenue of Rs 18 lakh and a whopping Rs 5 crore in the month of August through express bus services. The department is planning to increase frequency in services to 10 minutes and identify new routes to start services. “We are going to start Vegadhoota services on 3-4 new routes, including Nelamangala, Doddaballapur, Devanahalli and Hoskote. We are planning to connect such places directly through fast services”, he said.
