Now, kiosks provide info on BMTC buses

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Saturday launched Passenger Information Kiosk (PIK) to help commuters get crucial details.

Transport and Bangalore district in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy who inaugurated the service at the Kempegowda bus terminal, said the PIK would not only help the passengers but also the BMTC staff.

The PIK would flash critical details such as route number, destination, approximate time required to reach the destination and map. Hence, commuters need not stand in a queue near the counters struggling to seek such details, he added.

A total of 12 PIKs began operation in different bus stands in the City, and soon all the 52 bus stands in the City will have PIKs, providing information about over 6,000 buses round the clock. The government has spent around Rs 1.20 lakh on each kiosk. The BMTC also has plans to instal Leave Management Kiosks at depots to get information on staff availing leaves, Reddy said.

The PIK will have a computer with an interactive touch screen facility, which will facilitate passengers to give their feedback and file queries under the Right to Information Act to the BMTC. The PIK will flash information on job opportunities and tenders in Kannada and English languages, he said.

“The State government decided to instal CCTVs in BMTC buses after a gangrape incident in Delhi. About 500 buses have CCTVs and a proposal has been sent to the Central government seeking permission to extend the facility to another 1,000 buses,” the minister said.

Besides, most of the BMTC buses have been equipped with emergency exits, while three-month deadline has been given to private operators to instal emergency exists in their buses. The Corporation has been able to reduce its losses significantly and is likely to make  profit by the year-end.

Of the 40 stages, the BMTC has hiked the bus fare by Re one at second stage to avoid problems regarding change, he added. The Central government sanctioned 300 Volvo buses, but the State government requested the former to sanction regular buses, the minister said.