Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for the first time in the country introduced 'Smart Card' to commuters in the city. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the Smart cards including hi-tech buses and inaugurated the foot-over bridge at Kempegowda Bus Station here on Saturday.
At the launch function, Smart cards were distributed to over 4 lakh school and college students and by the end of November, these cards will be made available the commuters in the city. There will be an annual fee of Rs 25. The commuters can recharge from Rs 5 to Rs 10,000. The chief minister also launched hi-tech buses including Premium segment AC buses, Tata BS-IV, Eicher and Tata mini buses.
Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah said, with the launch of Namma Metro Phase I in full swing from Sunday, the burden of passengers on BMTC may reduce in the coming days. He said the number of passengers using the Metrorail will increase from 2 lakh to 5 lakh after the launch of Phase I. “The density of passengers is expected to increase in the coming day, I have already instructed the concerned authorities to increase the number of coaches in the Metrorail.”
He said that in the year 2016-2017 the government has given approval to BMTC to purchase only 1,000 new buses. As announced in the budget, the government will be buying 1,500 buses and will be transferred to BMTC. In another one year, an additional 1,500 buses will be bought by BMTC. These buses will be purchased after availing loan and the government will be paying only the interest on that loan amount.
Speaking at the event, KPCC working president and Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao made a request to the chief minister to reduce the bus fare of BMTC as it is the highest compares to other cities in the country. He said that if the fare reduces, the number of passengers using the bus will increase. He also asked the chief minister to concrete the roads around the Majestic area. Answering to the plea, Siddaramaiah said that he will examine about reducing the bus fares. He directed Bengaluru Development K J George to look into the matter of concreting the roads around Majestic. He also assured to look into the matter of distributing free passes to all the students in future.
Box - Smart cards (MUST)
The purpose of Smart Card based fare collection is to support Interoperable multi-modal transit ecosystem. These are EMV(Europay, Mastercard and Visa) enabled cards and can be used as E-Purse. These cards can be used as the pass for commuting in buses and supports common mobility card system as well.
Students who opt for manual paper passes now will have to replace it with Smart cards as per timelines are given below -
For school and PUC students - June 17
College students - July 01
Replacement of paper passes issued to students - August 01 to September 30
Monthly passes to all commuters - November 01
E-purse - which can be used to pay for your BMTC tickets instead of cash.
The facility will be made available for -
Pilot – Route 335 E - June 23
Launch Route 335 E - July 15
Launch on Vayu Vajra Buses - August 01
Launch on Vajra Buses - August 15
Commuters will be able to apply online by filling the e-form for the Smart cards on Axis Bank/BMTC Website - https://transit.axisbank.co.in/ - https://www.mybmtc.com/ or can visit any of the BMTC counters or Bangalore One counters.
Facilities in the hi-tech buses
- Mobile and laptop charging facility
- Request stop switches are provided for the stanchion poles
- Three LED destination display boards in front, rear and side are provided with next stop voice announcement system.
- All window glasses can be used as an emergency exit by using a small hammer provided to break open the glasses.
- Two surveillance cameras provided, one inside the passenger saloon area another at rear for a clear rear vision for the driver while taking the reverse.
- Intelligent transport system provided to the passengers for locating buses, real-time information about arrival and departure of buses.
Published 17 June 2017, 13:49 IST