Vayu Vajra hikes fare to dissuade 'cut' passengers

The move is an attempt by the corporation to discourage short-distance travel in the buses, which are meant specifically for commuters travelling to and fro Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). However, the fares to the BIA remain
unchanged.

“Short-distance travellers or cut passengers occupy most of the seats in these buses leaving no seats for people who travel to the airport. The hike in thefare is an attempt to discourage such passengers,” M Prabhudas, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations), said.

However, Ananth Janardhan, who commutes daily from Koramangala to Electronics City, finds the hike unfair. “I am entitled to use the bus if it stops at the bus stop. If the hike in fare is to dissuade short-distance passengers from boarding the bus, why allow them board the bus,” questioned Ananth.

Profit-making

Although Vayu Vajra buses incurred losses to the tune of lakhs of rupees in its initial days, they have been making profits in the last one year. Now, for every kilometre, the Vayu Vajra Volvo buses incur, an operating cost of Rs 43, and earn Rs 50.

“It is true that we incurred heavy loss at the beginning of Vayu Vajra services. However, now with the buses plying to the BIA, it is making profits. We intend to increase the number of Volvo buses in the coming months,” said Prabhudas.

In addition to the Volvos displaying advertisements, the tablet PC gadgets in the busesthat provide internet services are yet another source of income to the BMTC.

There are as many as 25 Volvo buses that ply to the BIA with 600 touch screen tablets. The services are provided by EAFT Technologies, which is the first India -based tablet making firm. The firm is paying the BMTC Rs 10,000 per month to each of the buses since October 2010.

Thus, the BMTC makes Rs 2,50,000 per month and annually receives Rs 30 lakh.
“We launched our product in the retail market only in July. We have undertaken a lot of testing on our devices employed in BMTC. Also, we use it as an advertisement,” said Praveen B N, one of the directors of EAFT.

However, the company does not have any plans to increase the number of touch screen tablets, which are provided free of cost to commuters.