The priority that is being accorded to Namma Metro should also be given to Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) that ferries around 52 lakh passengers every day in the city. This was the demand placed before the Chief Minister on Saturday when he launched the BMTC’s smart card and 150 new buses.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said people from all walks of life use BMTC services.
“It is our duty to ensure that they get quality service. Therefore, the State government needs to train its focus and priority on the BMTC. The BMTC’s ridership will not come down with the launch of Namma Metro’s Phase 1. In fact, the service area of the BMTC has increased. The government has worked out a plan to add 3,000 buses; but even this is insufficient,” he said.
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Dinesh Gundu Rao, Gandhinagar MLA, urged the Chief Minister to reduce BMTC fares.
Mr. Siddaramaiah later announced that Kempegowda bus terminus would be white-topped. He said the BMTC would not be discriminated against and that Namma Metro was aimed at reducing the burden of the BMTC. To further reduce congestion, he said the number of coaches of Namma Metro would be increased.
With its own mobile application and launch of smart cards, the BMTC has become the first public transport corporation in the country to have such a facility.
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For students
In the first phase, the smart cards will be issued to four lakh school and college students in the city. As per the BMTC’s plans, the smart cards will be issued to other commuters by November-end. Until then, the existing ticketing system will continue. The annual fee for smart cards is ₹25 and they can be recharged up to ₹10,000.