The Hindu : BMTC to act tough on drivers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

BMTC to act tough on drivers

By Govind D.Belgaumkar

BANGALORE April 9. Mary Janakappa, who works for a private firm in Indiranagar, was waiting for a bus at CPRI (Central Power Research Institute) near Sadashivanagar Police Station. She had to reach her office at Indiranagar by 3 p.m.

After waiting for 15 minutes, she was delighted to see two "empty" buses bound for Shivajinagar. But the buses did not stop. She had to wait for another 10 minutes before boarding a bus to Shivajinagar.

Skipping stops is common for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) drivers. Although the drivers seem to have a soft corner for schoolchildren, they are unsympathetic to the aged. Janardhana, who works for a travel agency, said he waited for a bus to go to Shivajainagar at Ramaiah College in Mathtikere. But when the bus did not stop, he had go to Indian Institute of Science (IISc) by paying Rs. 3. From there he had to board another bus to Shivajinagar, by spending Rs. 4. "I would have reached Shivajinagar by spending Rs. 4 had I boarded the direct bus," he said.

More often, people are forced to hire a taxi or an authorickshaw to reach their destination, after waiting for buses. This also means loss of revenue for the BMTC.

Dastagir Sharief, Chief Traffic Manager, BMTC, said the authorities had been acting tough against drivers whenever they received complaints. But very few bother to lodge a complaint.

To take action, BMTC authorities need the bus number, the time and date and the name of the stop.

So next time, if you find a BMTC bus skipping a stop, call 2952534, 2952422 or 9844098194. For, Mr. Sharief promises that those who give their address will be told about the action taken on their complaint.

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