New BMTC bus services yet to ensure last-mile connectivity

The new services introduced by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) seem to be inadequate to address the transportation needs of the growing City, with several areas still having a poor connectivity.

Last year, the BMTC added Big 10 and Big Trunk buses among others, to improve its reach. However, still there are several areas which lack connectivity. While there are few buses from RT Nagar to Gollahalli, residents complain that there is almost no BMTC bus service between Shettihalli Defence Colony and Basaveshwarnagar and Rajajinagar and Vijayanagar. In addition, many times bus drivers skip stops taking deviations leaving passengers high and dry.

BMTC buses to Begur do not halt at the designated bus stop opposite Bommanahalli BBMP office, creating traffic jams on Hosur Road and inconveniencing passengers who have to get down at the designated stops.

Similarly, several schoolchildren, teachers, office-goers who have to go to areas around Basaveshwarnagar are forced to travel up to Jalahalli Circle or Bagalagunte Circle to get buses plying towards Navarang. Again from Navarang stop, they have to take another bus to reach Basaveshwarnagar or Rajajinagar Industrial Town. 

Suresh M, a  resident of Shettihalli Colony who works in Rajajinagar Industrial Town, said: “It’s an everyday struggle to reach my workplace. Since there is no direct connectivity, I have to travel by autos for half the distance and then take a bus after travelling four kilometres to reach my destination.”

A BMTC official said: “Our endeavour is to ensure passengers get last-mile connectivity from every nook and corner of the City. For that, we have been adequately adding new routes. Still, if there are any areas left, we will look into it.”

Two years ago, about 45 lakh passengers  travelled by BMTC busses. The number went up to 52 lakh in 2013.