The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : BMTC ready to go that extra mile for air passengers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

BMTC ready to go that extra mile for air passengers

Staff Reporter

Corporation to induct Toyota Innova vehicles to pick up and drop passengers

Pick-up and drop facility is being launched
on a pilot basis
It is based on the Singapore Tourism model

BANGALORE: By promising to run 40 ultra-modern Volvo buses from eight destinations in the city to the new international airport at Devanahalli, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) hopes to ease air passengers’ anxiety to a large extent. But, the first and last mile connectivity for outbound and inbound travellers still remained the issues to be addressed.

For this too, BMTC has come forward to extend personalised door service. The corporation has decided to induct 50 Toyota Innova vehicles to pick up and drop passengers at their homes once the new international airport commences its operation by March 2008. “Expecting air passengers to hire an autorickshaw or a taxi may not be proper and safe. Pick up and drop facility by BMTC itself will naturally enhance passengers’ confidence and offer a convenient travel,” BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathy told The Hindu. Passengers, thus, can travel in ease and comfort.

He further said, “The facility is being launched on a pilot basis as it had not been tried in the country. It is based on the Singapore Tourism model where a three-tier pick up and drop facility is in operation.

From smaller places, tourists are taken to a semi-terminal and from there to the main terminal. However, we have planned a two-tier set-up in Bangalore.”

Hi-tech

The facility would be handled by a private company, which would also handle operation of the entire Global Positioning System (vehicle tracking system) for BMTC buses. With a centralised call centre, the company would register requests for pick up and drop, plan route map and arranged the vehicle on time, Mr. Tripathy noted. For this, the cabs would be fitted with GPS and wireless connectivity.

While the cab driver would assist the passenger in loading and unloading the luggage at home or hotel, a porter would do the job inside the Volvo bus. The corporation was working out the fares to be charged for cab as well as Volvo services, Mr. Tripathy added.

Routes

The corporation would begin the Volvo services from Electronic City, J.P. Nagar VI Phase, Mysore Road Terminal (Bapujinagar), Whitefield, Jeevan Bima Nagar, Koramangala, HAL Airport and Peenya II Stage to the new airport, as per its tentative traffic plan.

To offer seamless travel for air passengers, the corporation has asked the government to provide dedicated bus corridor along the proposed expressway as well as on National Highway 7 between Hebbal and the airport. Volvo service, the BMTC said, would offer fast, safe, comfortable and unhindered travel between the airport and the city.

BMTC would provide a nearest common pick-up point wherever a cluster of star hotels exist. It is also in the process of developing major traffic hubs and check-in facilities at Shantinagar and Hebbal.

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