Smart transportation a possibility only by Dec

Though the BMTC had promised to roll out the first phase of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) by June this year, the Transport Corporation is yet to keep its word.

While earlier the delay in implementation was attributed to faulty GPS devices and the incompatible Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETM) with the smart card technology, for now, the Corporation seems to be lacking focus in its approach to pursue the ITS project.

However, a lot is riding on the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) as without it, the big plan to create seamless travel experience in the City using various modes of transport cannot take off.

The BMTC, which was supposed to launch the project in April 2014, said a lot of internal progress is taking place in terms of readying and synchronising various modules. Nonetheless, the actual project will be launched only by December.

Officials say that since the ITS will enable commuters to switch modes – from BMTC buses to Namma Metro trains – and Namma Metro will only be completing Phase I by the end of this year, they have time till then to ensure that the system is precise and flawless.

Speaking with Deccan Herald, BMTC MD Ekroop Caur, said, “We are working towards launching ITS. After removing many obstacles which we faced in the beginning, now we are in a comfortable position to launch the pilot project within a month or so. There is a lot of progress that has been made in the preparatory work for the project. Since we have time to roll out the complete project by December, we want to ensure that it is perfect and all the modules are well synced.”

 As of now, Metro commuters have a smart card which they can swipe at the stations instead of buying tokens every time they travel. Similarly, bus commuters can also purchase a day pass or a monthly pass to travel in a majority of BMTC buses. Once the ITS is rolled out, commuters can use just one smart card which will enable them to travel both in buses and Metro trains seamlessly.

Also, to have better coordination and ensure hassle-free travel within the City, both the BMTC and the BMRCL have formed a committee and hold meetings regularly to address issues, if any, during the course of putting the system together.