Digital smart screens gathering dust at Majestic BMTC bus station

BENGALURU: Digital smart screens, meant to help bus passengers get information about their destination, which were installed after spending lakhs of rupees, are now gathering dust at the Majestic BMTC bus station.

The transport utility had introduced the digital smart screen as part of a project to improve the commuting experience. However, the project has stalled and the display screens have become just showpieces, with the officials not even evincing any interest in fixing them.

Thousands of people travel to every corner of the city from Majestic BMTC bus stand every day. For newcomers, getting around the Majestic bus station to find the correct platform to catch a bus can be a difficult exercise. Even those who have come from far-off place have a lot of confusion about the buses and routes. Many people have to ask the conductors to board the bus, route numbers and other information.

To ease this problem, the BMTC had set up digital smart screens to facilitate commuters. Despite the bus station being equipped with over 100 smart digital displays three to four years ago, they are not functioning now.

Initially, the digital displays provided commuters with essential information such as bus numbers, routes and departure times. However, due to official negligence, the displays have stopped functioning and the boards have become worn out and covered in dust.

The lack of maintenance has resulted in a shortage of information for commuters, forcing them to approach conductors and drivers for assistance. This has created a chaotic situation at the Majestic, many regular commuters say.