Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is undoubtedly one of the effective modes of public transport in Bangalore. Every day 48 lakhs passenger trips are covered and about 20 lakh people have been benefiting from its services.
Unfortunately, this year BMTC has been plying under losses, informs adviser to the State government on traffic, M N Sreehari. He says, "This is the first time BMTC is undergoing losses. All the other previous years, the corporation had posted profits. However, this does not undermine its effectiveness. Even if metro and other modes of transportation makes its way to Bangalore, BMTC will still hold its place. In fact, BMTC was awarded the ‘Golden Peacock Special Commendation Certificate-2005’ for its best environmental management practices as a public transport corporation."
Currently, 6300 buses are plying in the city on a regular basis.
Speaking to City Express, on initiatives to make BMTC more effective, the managing director of BMTC, Anjum Parvez said, "We have ordered 300 Ashok Leyland buses which are BS-4 and will be plying in the main city, while 264 BS-3 buses will ply in suburbs apart from 75 Tata buses. We also have plans to add 900 more buses by next year."
As it transcribes, the services of Volvo buses have been a huge hit in the city.
There are a total of 110 Volvo buses at present. Parvez adds, "We are planning to bring another 575 Volvo buses by June."
However, BMTC there are glitches. Time and again, passengers have been complaining about errant conductors and drivers.
Pratibha, a lawyer who travels from RT Nagar to Adugodi every day says, "I am extremely annoyed by the manner in which conductors try to avoid returning the change. Especially in Volvo buses, when your stop arrives and you are looking for the conductor to get the change, he will suddenly disappear." To this Parvez said, "It has been 12 days since we have established change counters in major bus stops since the majority of complains are regarding countering change from the conductors."
In order to bring down the incidents of tiffs between conductors and passengers, training is being going on at Vaddarahalli for conductors and drivers on a regular basis. In the depo's as well, the depo managers addresses and briefs the conductors and drivers on various safety issues and driving habits. Parvez says, "We are trying to inculcate a culture among the conductors and driver where they treat the commuters as buyers."
Commenting on a different issue, Banitha K, a regular BMTC passenger said, "After 8 pm, men occupy the seats reserved for ladies. This is a major problem. Despite making repeated complaints to the conductors, they will not initiate any action. Even after introducing the `100 fine, men are seen occupying seats meant for ladies."
Accolades
BMTC was awarded ‘ Golden Peacock Special Commendation Certificate-2005’ for its best environmental management practices as a public transport corporation.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation was awarded the `Safety Innovation Award 2010’, organized by the Institution of Engineers, Delhi.
Bangalore Metropolitian Transport Corporation (BMTC) bagged the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU) awards instituted by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on January 2012.
On January 2011, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Friday received the “Transport Minister’s Trophy” and a cash award of `1.5 lakh during the culmination day of Road Safety week observed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India at New Delhi.
Projects
BMTC is looking forward to make use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) with the Dhabol-Bangalore natural gas pipeline commissioned by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL). Modern Fuel Management is being considered by BMTC in association with Hindustan Petroleum (HP) which will bring in a lot of transparency pertaining to fuel usage, fuel transfers. Workshop modernisation will also be carried out, whereby old tools wil be replace with new ones.