<p> Cab aggregator Uber on Friday entered into an agreement with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to provide taxi services from 12 Metro stations in the city, filling the void left by lack of reliable public transport for last-mile connectivity.<br /><br />Uber opened two exclusive booking counters at Byappanahalli, where riders can book taxis without using the Uber app on their mobile. “Together with Namma Metro, Uber will help reduce travel time while contributing to decongesting roads and the parking spaces in Metro stations,” said Uber’s Bengaluru Managing Director Christian Freese.<br /><br />Uber kiosks can be accessed at Majestic, Mysuru Road, Indiranagar, VIjayanagar, MG Road and Central College among other stations.<br /><br />In February, another cab aggregator, Ola, had struck a deal with BMRCL to set up kiosks at seven Metro stations, including Trinity, Cubbon Park and Yeshwantpur stations. <br /><br />Meanwhile, BMTC Managing Director Ekroop Caur said the corporation will soon increase the feeder services at Metro stations. “We are providing feeder service at almost all Metro stations. We can increase the frequency as we are expecting about 500 more buses in the next three months,” she said.<br /><br />When asked about lowering fares, she said it was not possible at present without the government’s support. “We can, however, work on reliability. Passengers can track the buses on BMTC app to plan their trips,” she said.<br /><br />No parking space<br /><br />BMTC MD Ekrup Caur said the corporation was ready to allot more buses for feeder service at Metro stations but many Metro stations do not have place for parking. “If we have to run buses to different routes, then we need space to park at least five buses in each station. At present, such facility is available only at Swami Vivekananda Road station,” she said.</p>
<p> Cab aggregator Uber on Friday entered into an agreement with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to provide taxi services from 12 Metro stations in the city, filling the void left by lack of reliable public transport for last-mile connectivity.<br /><br />Uber opened two exclusive booking counters at Byappanahalli, where riders can book taxis without using the Uber app on their mobile. “Together with Namma Metro, Uber will help reduce travel time while contributing to decongesting roads and the parking spaces in Metro stations,” said Uber’s Bengaluru Managing Director Christian Freese.<br /><br />Uber kiosks can be accessed at Majestic, Mysuru Road, Indiranagar, VIjayanagar, MG Road and Central College among other stations.<br /><br />In February, another cab aggregator, Ola, had struck a deal with BMRCL to set up kiosks at seven Metro stations, including Trinity, Cubbon Park and Yeshwantpur stations. <br /><br />Meanwhile, BMTC Managing Director Ekroop Caur said the corporation will soon increase the feeder services at Metro stations. “We are providing feeder service at almost all Metro stations. We can increase the frequency as we are expecting about 500 more buses in the next three months,” she said.<br /><br />When asked about lowering fares, she said it was not possible at present without the government’s support. “We can, however, work on reliability. Passengers can track the buses on BMTC app to plan their trips,” she said.<br /><br />No parking space<br /><br />BMTC MD Ekrup Caur said the corporation was ready to allot more buses for feeder service at Metro stations but many Metro stations do not have place for parking. “If we have to run buses to different routes, then we need space to park at least five buses in each station. At present, such facility is available only at Swami Vivekananda Road station,” she said.</p>
