The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has decided to conduct a physical survey of the time taken by its Vajra (Volvo) services between Kempegowda Bus station (KBS) and Kadugodi from Wednesday in the wake of Tuesday’s snap protest by the Vajra crew.
The survey, to be conducted at different timings throughout the day and night, would assess the actual time taken by the bus drivers to drive between the destinations, said BMTC Managing Director Anjum Pervez.
Mr. Pervez told The Hindu that all 96 vajra buses on route no. 335 would be covered under this survey to be carried out by Corporation’s Traffic Controllers (TCs).
“If it is found that the drivers were unable to complete eight trips during the 12-hour shift, the trip timings would be modified,” he said.
Mr. Pervez said the Corporation would not compel its drivers to do more trips than possible and endanger public life. He said the BMTC would utilise its fleet in a better manner by conducting sufficient number of trips a day.
Responding to the grievance of drivers that they are forced to do eight trips in a shift of 12 hours, Mr. Pervez said only a few drivers complete the trips within the stipulated time. There are also drivers who do seven or six trips. Therefore, the ground reality has to be assessed objectively and hence the physical survey, he said.
While drivers doing eight trips in 12-hours are paid over time (OT) allowance for four hours, those who do lesser trips would get OT payment on prorata basis depending upon the kilometres clocked. This system is substantially proper to assess the actual working hours of drivers, he said. Nevertheless, the physical survey is being ordered now, he said.
Two peak hours
Mr. Pervez said the BMTC has also realised that drivers under general shift are made to face two peak hours in the day, and this results in undue stress.
Therefore, the BMTC has decided to reconsider this system and work out measures to address the problem. “We may introduce three shifts morning, noon and afternoon, to overcome this problem,” Mr. Pervez said.
