BANGALORE: Buoyed by the commuters’ response, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will introduce ‘in-bus entertainment’ system in ten Volvo (Airavat) buses to Shirdi, Hyderabad and Chennai. In-bus entertainment system was installed in two Bangalore-Mumbai buses in May, 2011.
This will now be introduced in buses from Bangalore to Shirdi, Hyderabad and Chennai. According to officials, the department has received positive feedback from passengers, and this has prompted the state public transport system to adopt the system in ten more Airavat buses. Technical problems like lesser connectivity to signals, poor quality of audio and control system have been addressed. “We have standardised the system and are working on fixing LCD monitors with better control system,” said Chennabasappa, chief manager (Marketing and Commuter Relations), KSRTC.
He told Express that, “In-bus entertainment is available in top class Volvo multi-axel buses, which travel for more than 10 hours.” Explaining the system, he adds, “LCD monitors are supported by headphones and a remove-to-access to various channels. With this, passengers can view channels of their choice while travelling. These earphones will be replaced with new ones after every trip. Presently, KSRTC does not plan to charge extra for this facility.”
Chennabasappa noted that efforts were being made to add more channels to suit the interests of passengers. “If the reponse is good, KSRTC would extend this facility to other buses also. After introducing this facility, the number of commuters travelling in Airavat buses has increased. The KSRTC has taken several new measures to provide better facilities. One such measure being in-bus entertainment,” he added.