CM launches BMTC smart cards, students first beneficiaries

Termed as a first for any state-run transport corporation in the country, BMTC on Saturday launched the ‘smart card’ for commuters.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the smart cards and the hi-tech buses, besides inaugurating a foot overbridge at the Kempegowda bus station. At the launch function, smart cards were distributed to over school and college students and by the end of November, these cards will be made available to all commuters. There will be an annual fee of Rs 25 and 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, Siddaramiah said, with the launch of Namma Metro phase I in full swing on Sunday, the burden of passengers on BMTC may reduce in the coming days. “The density of Metro passengers is expected to increase in the coming days. I have already instructed the authorities concerned to increase the number of coaches in the trains.” 
    
He said in 2016-2017, the government has given approval to BMTC to purchase only 1,000 new buses. As announced in the budget, the government will buy 1,500 buses and transfer them 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 only pay interest. Speaking at the event, KPCC working president and Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao made a request to the chief minister to reduce the bus fares of BMTC as it is the highest in the country. He asked the chief minister to concretise roads around Majestic area.

Siddaramaiah said he will examine the matter of reducing fares. He directed Bengaluru Development Minister K J George to look into the matter of concretising the roads.

What are these cards?

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 pass for commuting in buses and supports common mobility.

Commuters will be able to apply online by filling the e-form for 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 BangaloreOne counters.