BMTC's skeletal services ferry 13,000 passengers a day

Christin Mathew Philip | TNN | Updated: Apr 15, 2020, 06:12 IST

Photo used for representational purpose

BENGALURU: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is proving to be the city's lifeline once again. Though most public transport modes are off the road, the transport utility is ferrying an average of 13,000 passengers a day.
BMTC is operating 160 buses to and from all major hospitals to ensure frontline workers, including medical staff, security personnel and others, are not stranded. Those who don't have cars and two-wheelers depend on these services. Before the shutdown, BMTC used to operate 6,161 buses and its daily ridership was 36 lakh.
M Raghavendra, a BMTC driver said, "Our services are helping mainly those working in hospitals. If we don't operate, they will face some difficulties. This is the time we all should help each other."
BMTC officials said skeletal services will continue till the lockdown ends. "Each bus carries only up to 20 passengers to maintain social distancing. We also check their ID cards and passes issued by police to ensure they are genuine passengers," said a senior BMTC official.
Some medical professionals have complained about less frequency, forcing them to wait for long to get a bus. However, BMTC officials said they are ready to operate more buses if emergency service providers give them a specific route and timings.