BMTC e-ticketing machines to plug pilferage

New system expected by year-end

Director (Technical), BMTC, S K Paramesh told Deccan Herald that orders for 10,000 ETMs had already been placed. However, only 750 ETMs have arrived and can be used as of now.
The machines need to be customised according to BMTC’s requirements. “The routes, fares, stages, distances and time of the journey are some of the details that need to be fed into the machines. This is taking some time,” said B K Umashankar, Controller of Sales and Purchase, BMTC.

Pilferage cases have been rising at the rate of 20-30 per cent with the increase in the number of routes every year, according to Administrative Officer, BMTC, Vasant.

“Around 135 cases are reported every day. However, in most cases, passengers who connive with the conductors are the ones who are caught,” he said.

As many as 30 batches of 26 officers and eight inspectors are deployed each day to check such malpractices by conductors and passengers. Each batch checks at least 30 vehicles per day.

“Around 900 vehicles are checked daily. However, with 5,800 routes and even more number of buses, there is no doubt we are understaffed,” said Vasant.

A conductor may charge a fare lesser than the actual amount without issuing any ticket or indulge in other malpractices. All these problems will be eliminated, said Vasant.

“A conductor, after being trained to use the ETMs, will get the machines at the depot. The machines will be fed with all necessary details, leaving no room for cheating,” he said.
However, even with ETMs there is a possibility of cheating. For example, by not issuing tickets at all, after collecting the fare. “We expect the passengers to stand up for their rights and demand tickets,” said Paramesh.