BENGALURU: Tracking of buses at bus stations and bus stops can be a tiring task for commuters in Bengaluru. To ease the process, the concept of Passenger Information Systems (PIS) was introduced by BMTC two years ago. However, over 300 points in the city are yet to be equipped with PIS. The purpose of the PIS is to show the details of buses, which include, bus numbers, arrival time, and the platform number. It will work with the help of General Packet Radio Services (GPRS).
The BMTC with the aid of ARMOR – the company which has undertaken the task of installing these PIS – is currently testing these screens at the designated spots. In addition, ARMOR will be using these screens as a source of generating revenue, by displaying advertisements, said a systems official from BMTC.
BMTC yet to replace digital screens at Yeswanthpur and Shivajinagar stations
When City Express visited Yeswanthpur TTMC, yellow dysfunctional screens were seen mounted on the walls. Pointing to these screens, a BMTC systems’ official said, “These screens are old displays which are yet to be replaced with new screens. Currently, we are testing the PIS, as there are many issues to deal with in installation.” According to a source, earlier this year, the BMTC has called the tender for installation of PIS, for the second time.
This, as there were some issues with the systems which were installed by the previous company, hence the reason for the tender being called for the second time. This time, ARMOR has taken up the task and has successfully installed two Passenger Information Systems at Shantinagar bus station,
informed BMTC Managing Director Ponnuraj.
Likewise, when CE inspected the existing screens at the Shivajinagar bus station, they were found to be dead. These digital display informing commuters have been at the station for 2-3 years now, and are not working today. The BMTC and ARMOR are working towards installing PIS at the bus stand. Talking about the installation work that is taking place, Shivajinagar bus station incharge said, “These television display screens have been lying dead for the past one month.”
The BMTC's systems official has confirmed that the passengers at the Shivajinagar bus stand will soon be facilitated with digitised information. Similarly, the satellite bus station on Mysore Road, Banashankari bus station, Kengeri bus station and many more await the installation of PIS.
However, the presence of the PIS at the airport bus station has eased the process of tracking buses, for commuters at the stop. Even as the BMTC has a target of installing the PIS in 400 major bus stands across the city, the authenticity of the information which is displayed on these screens, is undergoing tests. Two years after the proposal was made, there is no designated time given for the completion of the installations, as it continues to be in the testing phase.