BENGALURU: YOU may soon able to watch movies or play games while you wait for bus in selected BMTC bus terminuses in the city.
BMTC officials told Express that they have invited expression of interest from private firms to set up multiplexes in its bus terminuses at Banashankari, Vijayanagar, Kengeri and Yeshwantpur. The BMTC is also planning to rent out open spaces in bus terminuses in Shantinagar, Koramangala, Domlur, Whitefield, ISRO layout, Yelahanka old Town and Banashankari for tennis and badminton courts, gym, clinics and coaching centres (any one of the facilities in each of these bus terminuses).
The BMTC’s move to rent out its prime location spaces to private firms is expected to be relief for the corporation, which would need an additional `14 crore per month to pay employees their revised salaries after the recent 12.5 per cent pay hike.
A BMTC official said they are setting up multiplexes and recreational cum games facilities in its Traffic and Transit Management Centres (TTMC) for the first time.
“We have already received several responses to set up these facilities in these places. But, we are yet decide on the lease period and estimated revenue from this plan. We will rent out to those who pay the maximum rent after the tender,” said a BMTC official. He said most of these bus terminuses are located in prime areas of the city and have adequate parking facilities.
Many commuters welcomed the BMTC’s plan to come up with recreational facilities in its bus terminuses. “It is a good idea to watch a movie while waiting for buses for long distance destinations. Many shopping malls are now charging exorbitant fee as parking charge compared to the rate in TTMCs. The government should also subsidise the rate of movie tickets in the proposed multiplexes in these bus terminuses” said K Srinivas, a regular commuter in Yeshwantpur.
However, BMTC officials said they cannot impose a condition in the tender that movie tickets should at a cheaper rate. “The selected firm will have all rights to decide on the rate of tickets,” the official said.