The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : BMTC special buses to new airport

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Monday, Mar 31, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

BMTC special buses to new airport

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The usual bunch of Sunday tourists in front of the Vidhana Soudha lawns had one more sight to talk about back home: a fleet of red BMTC Volvo buses — ornate with flowers, leaves and the works — stood on the other side of the green lawns. The sleek buses are all set to roll along nine bus routes once the Bangalore International Airport is up and running on May 11.

The Vayu Vajra Service (Volvo buses) and Suvarna Peak Hour Service buses were flagged off by P.K.H. Tharakan, Adviser to the Governor, and Sudhakar Rao, Chief Secretary. Journalists and staff members were taken on the maiden ride to Devanahalli and on a shorter trip via Basaveshwara Circle back to Vidhana Soudha.

Improved connectivity

In a first of its kind initiative, the BMTC will launch “First Mile Connection” after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with taxi and auto unions to create an integrated phone line where commuters can call in and book their trip to the airport.

“On a single ticket, an auto or taxi will pick up commuters from their doorstep and ferry them to the nearest Bus stop where they can board our buses. The taxis and autos will have Global Positioning System (GPS) to facilitate easy coordination,” said Upendra Tripathi, Managing Director, BMTC.

Cost factor

The tickets will cost anything up to Rs. 200 for a pilot period of three months, following which the BMTC will review the strategy and consider expansion or additional routes. As many as 40 Volvo buses, which have a seating capacity of 30 but ample luggage space, and 100 Suvarna Peak Hour Service Buses with lesser facilities, will operate in nine bus routes starting from Electronics City, J.P. Nagar, Koramangala, WhiteField, Jeevanbima Nagar, Mysore Road, Kempegowda Bus Station, Hebbal, Kendriya Vihar and the existing HAL.

The buses will be at regular intervals and will provide round-the-clock service. The bus service will be provided free for two days to familiarise the public with the newly introduced routes, Mr. Tripathi added.

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