BMTC, KSRTC should bring in some ‘change’, put an end to daily commuter fracas

BENGALURU: Commuters getting into arguments with conductors on BMTC and KSRTC buses are a daily affair. This is mainly because passengers hand out currency notes and expect the conductor to return change, which, unfortunately, they are almost always short of.

While the problem may not be as acute in the BMTC, which revised fares in multiples of Rs 10, the problem is more so in KSRTC buses. For example, the fares for Mysuru, Madikeri are Rs 142, Rs 203, etc. The conductor may be able to give out change to some of the passengers, but not all.

Now, BMTC traffic controller N Srinivas, who is also an RTI activist, has written to the state chief secretary highlighting the problem. In his letter, Srinivas has suggested rounding off fares to avoid daily skirmishes between passengers and transport utility staff.

On their part, conductors say the transport utilities do not provide them with small change and they have to depend on small shops for it. Passengers themselves should carry change to avoid such problems, they feel.

Urban mobility experts also feel that the KSRTC and BMTC should explore digital payment options which have now become widespread, as it eliminates the need for physical money. How the government reacts remains to be seen.