JOIN USBMTC pedals the extra mile for 'green' mileage
The concept of bicycle racks attached to the front end of the bus is not alien to Western countries and is now sought to be introduced in India’s Silicon Valley.
The BMTC is planning to build cycle stands at its Traffic and Transit Management Centres (TTMC) besides running a pilot project for introducing cycle racks on its Volvo buses.
The test run for the twin mode of transport was conducted by the Corporation in June.
Sponsored by Volvo, the pilot run was confined to the Sigma Tech Park route near Whitefield.
BMTC Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) M P Prabhudas, said, “We need to look at the project on a larger scale. It does not involve any revenue hassle as it is provided free of cost to us by Volvo.”
He added that when the cycle rack service starts, it will be provided only to Volvo Buses en route to all the IT parks first, as those routes are certain to have more cyclists who can take the Volvo.
Speaking about the attached cycle rack service, Murali Ramnath from Ride a Cycle Foundation and NammaCycle said: “Up to five cycles can be placed on each Volvo Bus. We had suggested the idea long time ago. We are happy it is being discussed again.”
He exuded confidence that the IT crowd will utilise the facility, making it successful, and suggested that the BMTC could impose a small fee for the service, if needed.
Volvo Buses India Managing Director Akash Passey said, “We are doing the testing internally and have been doing it over a period of time. Once we finalise on various aspects related to this idea, we shall put it across to the BMTC and also the KSRTC.”
Cycle stand at TTMC
Besides this initiative, the BMTC will introduce cycle stand at the Shantinagar TTMC in 10 days. Officials said that the idea will be emulated at all the TTMCs. Initially, space will be provided to park 15 cycles but the figure is only set to increase once the BMTC finds enhanced public interest.
BMTC Managing Director K R Srinivasa said: “As of now we have not fixed the rates per hour for using the cycle stand. Since, the stands have been constructed by the BMTC there will be a nominal charge,” he added.