Low AC fare, more trips give BMTC a big boost
, ET Bureau|
Jan 18, 2018, 11.45 AM IST
The air-conditioned services of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), which had lost considerable ridership in the past 2-3 years, are back with a bang. Thanks to several reforms, including a major cut in ticket fare and induction of more buses, the utility has witnessed a 43% increase in daily ridership.
In the first fifteen days of January this year, about 62,900 people used BMTC's vajra services (AC buses) every day. During the same period last year, the utility had registered a daily ridership of about 44,000. That's an increase of about 19,000 passengers a day.
From the beginning of this year, the ticket fare in air-conditioned buses have been slashed by up to 37%. The BMTC has brought down the maximum ticket fare for travels of more than 66 km to ₹100 from ₹160. While it used to cost ₹100 or more to travel a distance of more than 30 km, the fare is now anywhere between ₹63 and ₹94. There is a considerable reduction in fare for shortdistance commutes too.
Pravir Bagrodia, a frequent user of AC buses, pays Rs 16 less for a journey on BMTC's Volvo bus between Domlur and Whitefield. "Earlier, I used to pay ₹74. Now, I am charged just₹58. This is much cheaper than a cab. Even sharing a cab costs a minimum of ₹80. I am sure more people will be encouraged to use public transport," he said.
What's more, with the increase in ridership, the cut of ticket fare has not affected the corporation's revenue. Data show that the BMTC had reported a revenue (from ticket fares) of ₹9.2 crore a day in January 2017. The daily revenue in January this year is ₹9.6 crore, an increase of ₹44 lakh a day.
"Cutting down bus trips that were running almost empty, rationalisation of routes and (improved) staff behaviour are some of the other factors responsible for better performance," a BMTC official said.
The utility inducted 79 AC buses from April last year even as several old Volvo buses are lying idle in depots due to lack of spare parts.
Srinivas Alavilli, a techie and citizen activist, suggested that the BMTC adopt technology to further improve its services. "More people would surely use BMTC if the services are reliable and predictable. Authorities should collaborate with corporate companies and reach out to more passengers. Even measures such as bus priority lane are required at a time when the traffic is so bad," he said.
In the first fifteen days of January this year, about 62,900 people used BMTC's vajra services (AC buses) every day. During the same period last year, the utility had registered a daily ridership of about 44,000. That's an increase of about 19,000 passengers a day.
From the beginning of this year, the ticket fare in air-conditioned buses have been slashed by up to 37%. The BMTC has brought down the maximum ticket fare for travels of more than 66 km to ₹100 from ₹160. While it used to cost ₹100 or more to travel a distance of more than 30 km, the fare is now anywhere between ₹63 and ₹94. There is a considerable reduction in fare for shortdistance commutes too.
Pravir Bagrodia, a frequent user of AC buses, pays Rs 16 less for a journey on BMTC's Volvo bus between Domlur and Whitefield. "Earlier, I used to pay ₹74. Now, I am charged just₹58. This is much cheaper than a cab. Even sharing a cab costs a minimum of ₹80. I am sure more people will be encouraged to use public transport," he said.
What's more, with the increase in ridership, the cut of ticket fare has not affected the corporation's revenue. Data show that the BMTC had reported a revenue (from ticket fares) of ₹9.2 crore a day in January 2017. The daily revenue in January this year is ₹9.6 crore, an increase of ₹44 lakh a day.
"Cutting down bus trips that were running almost empty, rationalisation of routes and (improved) staff behaviour are some of the other factors responsible for better performance," a BMTC official said.
The utility inducted 79 AC buses from April last year even as several old Volvo buses are lying idle in depots due to lack of spare parts.
Srinivas Alavilli, a techie and citizen activist, suggested that the BMTC adopt technology to further improve its services. "More people would surely use BMTC if the services are reliable and predictable. Authorities should collaborate with corporate companies and reach out to more passengers. Even measures such as bus priority lane are required at a time when the traffic is so bad," he said.
