The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : BMTC launches hi-tech Marcopolo service

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Monday, Nov 03, 2008
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Karnataka

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BMTC launches hi-tech Marcopolo service

Special Correspondent

The first two buses will be run on experimental basis: Ashok

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

‘Rajyotsava gift’: Transport Minister R. Ashok launching Marcopolo service at the Kempe Gowda Bus Station in Bangalore on Sunday.

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Sunday launched Marcopolo service for the first time in the State.

The first two air-conditioned coaches given to the BMTC by Tata-Marcopolo Motors Limited (TMML) on an experimental basis will run between Kempe Gowda Bus Terminus and Nelamangala (route no. 258 C) and Hoskote (317A).

Minister for Transport R. Ashok, who flagged off the service, said that it was a gift to the people of Bangalore on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava.

Mr. Ashok said the BMTC would run the buses on an experimental basis for sometime before taking a decision on purchasing more vehicles of the same class.

The minimum fare on this service will be Rs. 5 and the maximum Rs. 25, whereas the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) charges Rs. 20 as minimum fare and Rs. 45 as maximum fare.

He said users of BMTC services could travel as far as Hoskote and Nelamangala for Rs. 25 in air-conditioned coaches of Marcopolo. Depending on the response of the commuters, the BMTC would go in for more such buses. Compared to Vajra (Volvo buses), travel cost in Marcopolo would be cheaper by 40 per cent per stage.

Mr. Ashok said the State Government had given all clearances to TMML to start operations at its plant in Dharwad and the State could now boast of having the largest bus bodybuilder with an investment of Rs. 1,500 crore and employment opportunities for over 6,000 people. Chief Executive Officer of TMML Lusuir Grochat said the DTC had 600 Marcopolo coaches. The coaches with low-floor had been designed to facilitate easy boarding and exit. There were two variants – manual transmission and automatic transmission.

Coach builders have made arrangements for travellers with special needs such as wheelchair parking bay, special stop buttons to help commuters to communicate with the driver, and air curtains to keep away dust. Electronic destination signboards alert the passengers on their respective destinations.

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