BMTC enthusiasts board an express bus service, which was flagged off on Friday.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Starting Saturday, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will introduce express bus services on key routes with limited stops.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off the services on Friday.
The BMTC will run 48 buses that will make 348 daily trips on the express routes. It will also issue monthly passes for these services at a cost of Rs 1,500.
Pass holders can travel on express, ordinary and NICE Road ordinary services (excluding special services) and will have to pay the applicable toll on tolled roads. They can travel on Vajra and Express Vajra bus services by paying Rs 30 per single trip and applicable toll.
Package tour
The BMTC will launch an additional Ghati Isha Foundation tour package to cover key temples and spiritual destinations around Bengaluru, starting Saturday.
This air-conditioned bus service will be available on weekends and public holidays. It will depart from Majestic at 9 am and end at 9 pm, covering Nelamangala Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Sri Ghati Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, Jnana Teertha Linga (Muddenahalli), Sri Dakshina Kashi Panchanandi Kshetra Papagni Math (Skandagiri), Kalyani (Karanji) and Isha Foundation. The fare (inclusive of toll charges) will be Rs 600.
The BMTC will also add two bus services from Banashankari TTMC and Silk Board Junction on the Bengaluru-Isha Foundation route. The fare will be Rs 700 and Rs 750, respectively.
The Bengaluru–Isha Foundation special package tour has served over 50,000 passengers since its launch a year ago.
Group insurance
The transport minister also presented cheques for Rs 1.5 crore each to the families of three BMTC employees who died in accidents.
This apart, the families of nine deceased employees will receive cheques for Rs 10 lakh each under the BMTC’s group insurance scheme. The corporation also commended 12 employees who promoted the use of UPI payments, which now contribute 50% of the total ticket revenue.
The routes
Ex-KBS-3A: Majestic to Attibele (10 buses, 56 daily services, 30-minute frequency)
Ex-600F: Banashankari TTMC to Attibele (10 buses, 68 daily services, 30-minute frequency)
Ex-298M: Majestic to Devanahalli (10 buses, 56 daily services, 20-minute frequency)
Ex-213V: Banashankari TTMC to Harohalli (8 buses, 80 daily services, 20-minute frequency)
Ex-258C: Majestic to Nelamangala (10 buses, 88 daily services, 20-minute frequency)