MG ROAD: Since it was introduced last year, about 5,000 students have gone on the Metro tour.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation runs the two-hour tour for school and college students. Between 100 and 200 students take the tour every day, according to Manjunath Swamy J, Assistant General Manager, Human Resources, BMRCL.
The trip is priced at `50 for primary school children, `75 for high school children and `100 for college students. Ravi Prakash, Senior Manager (Public Relations), BMRCL, told City Express, “This is an educational tour. We insist on a minimum of 25 students.”
Students get to visit the Metro’s training centre and operational control centre. They learn how the six trains in the network are monitored and maintained, and also about speed, engine functioning and cooling processors.
“The students travel from MG Road to Baiyyappanahalli and are then taken to the Operations Control Centre. They are shown a video about the Metro and take part in a question-and-answer session. En route, they get a glimpse of the inspection bay, repair bay and test track,” said Manjunath Swamy.
Very young children are not encouraged, though. “Toddlers need a lot of care and security,” said Manjunath Swamy. Children younger than nine (fourth standard) are not allowed unless accompanied by grown-ups.
Before the tour, students are given a list of dos and dont’s. “At each station, two guards ensure the safety and security of the students,” he explained.
Each Metro station has 60 CCTV cameras, and each compartment five. “The school programme takes place during the non-peak hours and does not affect regular commuters,” he said. “A dedicated team looks after everything, right from the booking.”
The tour includes a train ride, lunch, a video show, and a visit to the operations centre.