Commuter body demands more BMTC funds in State Budget

A body of bus commuters has demanded the allocation of more funds for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) in the upcoming Karnataka Budget to improve the city's public transport system.

In a detailed submission, the Bangalore Bus Prayaanikara Vedike (Bangalore Bus Commuters Forum) has come up with solutions to various issues faced by commuters. According to them, combating these issues will aid in resolving the city's traffic congestion.

As a solution to higher bus fares, the body has demanded that the government reimburse taxes paid by the corporation and allocate additional funds. They said that the BMTC has the highest bus fares in the country.

"For those who earn minimum wages of Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000, spending their salaries on a monthly pass of Rs 1,050 is unreasonable," the group said.

The body said that several people walk four to six kilometres to avoid paying Rs 12 to Rs 17 for the same distance. "This is due to the fact that it costs Rs. 12-17 for a stretch of 6 KM, which is unaffordable for many. Thus, they take to walking long distances," the statement said.

The body said that an insufficient number of buses in the city has led to overcrowding. They pointed out that between 2013 and 2019, there's been a less than 1 per cent increase in the bus fleet.

"For a population of one crore in Bangalore city, at least 12,000 buses must be running on the roads. And the State Government must support the BMTC is procuring these buses," said the commuter body.

The group also called for dedicated lines like a Bus Rapid Transit System and bus priority lanes. To accommodate this, the group has called for the government to discard its steel flyover and elevated corridor projects.

"At the end of Metro Phase II, it could do 20 lakh trips a day, whereas the BMTC takes about 51 lakh trips a day," the group said. "Despite this, the Metro gets a whopping allocation of Rs. 50,000 crores, whereas the BMTC does not even get a meagre sum of Rs. 1,000 crore." The group has demanded a better fund allocation that is line with the number of people who travel on BMTC buses.