Transport operators look to earn that extra buck

The transport operators, both private and public, have sensed a business opportunity in the extended nightlife hours in the City.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, which ferries around 45 lakh passengers a day across the City,  is “not hesitant” to extend its services for the benefit of late-night revellers.

“We are not hesitant to extending our life services in the night. But, at first, we need to gauge the response of the public for the move. The government has not informed us of the decision to extend nightlife,” a senior official of BMTC said. He said that depending on the response, the corporation will consider extending its services by rejigging the shifts of conductors and drivers. The autorickshaw and taxi operators too are gung-ho about the business opportunity that the extended nightlife throws up.

“Ideally, during night hours, we demand one-and-a-half times the normal fare. Some drivers demand double fare and even more depending on the time of the night,” said Manjunath, president of the Adarsh Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union. He said it would have been more useful had the government allowed small eateries to do business round the clock.

Radhakrishna Holla, president, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Association, said, “Extension of nightlife means more business for us. We have a separate tariff for our services in the night. We also need parking space in Central Business Districts where more bars and restaurants are located,” he said.