The longest Volvo bus, stretching 14.5 metres, was inducted into the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on a trial basis here Saturday.
The bus, which can accommodate 110 people at a go, will run between Banashankari to ITPB, Kempegowda bus station to Kadugodi, Majestic to Attibele, Kempegowda bus station to Bannerghatta National Park, and Silk Board to Hebbal on different days.
Transport Minister R. Ashok, who flagged off the bus, said: “We have been striving to promote mass transport and this new bus is an initiative in that direction.”
Mr. Ashok said this bus model bus would reduce diesel consumption, traffic jams and pollution.
He also spoke about plans to introduce intra-city bus services on the lines of BMTC in smaller towns like Mangalore, Shimoga, Mandya and Kolar, as well as in north Karnataka districts by the end of the month.
BMTC Chief Mechanical Engineer (Production, Transport and Planning) C.G. Anand said: “If the response of the public is good and the vehicle performs well, we will go ahead and purchase the bus.”
