This monsoon too, many BMTC bus passengers will avoid the normally much-preferred window seat, owing to shutters that won’t close properly.
Though Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation claims to undertake pre-monsoon check-up of its fleet, many buses that are plying now have leaky roofs and faulty windows, say passengers.
“I travel from Majestic to Jayanagar every day. It’s tough when it rains, because of faulty windows. We pay for tickets but we don’t get the expected level of service. BMTC must take care of its old buses,” said Shwetha Nayak, an HR consultant.
Sumitra Kulkarni, a student, said she travels one-and-a-half hours from Yesvantpur to Hesaraghatta.
“By the time I reach home, I am completely drenched. In some buses, the windows are jammed so badly that no amount of effort helps in closing them.”
Deeksha B., an HR professional, said this is an annual phenomenon and the corporation doesn’t do anything to address the issue.
“I took a BMTC bus from Silk Board to Singasandra last week. It was an old one, and rainwater was dripping from the roof.”
S. Babu, a street vendor and member of Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike, suggests that BMTC should restore old buses rather than buy costly new ones.
“I took a bus from Kengeri to Yelahanka (401 K) about a fortnight ago and the roof was leaking. I registered a complaint with the BMTC call centre the next day. The bus did not operate for the next four to five days.”
A conductor said, “It is difficult for us who have to keep walking up and down the aisle. It’s tough for the driver too, to concentrate. We have complained to officials many times.”
BMTC assures action
Officials said that they would look into it. Mallikarjun S., Chief Mechanical Engineer, BMTC, urged travellers to identify such buses. “If passengers can share details (bus number and route number) through email or raise a complaint on our website, it will help us single out these problematic buses and take action quickly.”
Problematic routes
Majestic-Jayanagar (18 series)
Nandini Layout-KR Market (77 E)
Silk Board-Singasandra
Majestic-Katriguppe
Shivajinagar-Kamala Nagar
Vijayanagar (63 series)
