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Double-decker buses set to return to Bengaluru; to cover tourist spots

Last Updated 26 May 2017, 19:58 IST

Double-decker buses with improved features will hit the tourist circuits of the city.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has cleared a proposal by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to buy four air-conditioned double-decker buses. BMTC plans to deploy them to tourist places within Bengaluru. The new buses may hit the city roads by the end of the year.

Double-decker buses are not new to the city. Till 1998, they plied the city’s streets on routes like Shivajinagar, KR Market, Majestic, Jayanagar, Gandhi Bazaar and Indiranagar. At present, however, BMTC has only one such bus which is meant for display.

Back in 2009, BMTC started ‘Bengalore Rounds’ services which had single-deck buses connecting around 10 tourist places in the city. The initiative, however, did not bring in the expected revenue.

BMTC upgraded the service and renamed it ‘Hop on, Hop off’ in 2014 with seven Volvo buses plying to 22 tourist places in Bengaluru. But the continued losses in revenue forced BMTC to reduce the number of buses from seven to four, which recently came down to three. These will be deployed on the airport route to boost 'Vayu Vajra' services.

“The double-decker buses will help take tourists and students to tourist places. I have already cleared the proposal. Officials will decide whether the first floor of the bus should be open or have a glass roof,” Reddy added.

“The number of visitors to Bengaluru has increased. At the same time, an increasing number of students come to the city on educational tours. The double-decker buses will give a new push to our ‘Bengaluru Rounds’ service,” a BMTC official said.

“We realise that many roads are not suited for double-decker buses. Many roads have tree canopies while others are too narrow. We will keep all these factors in mind while buying buses. We have not yet decided on the routes," the official added.

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(Published 26 May 2017, 19:58 IST)

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