Double-decker buses to make a comeback in Bengaluru?

You may have seen double-decker buses operated by private firms on city roads, but the last time a BMTC double-decker had a run was in 2014.

Young residents of the city, who have never had the opportunity to travel on open-top double-decker buses, will soon get their chance. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is likely be introduce these buses as hop-on, hop-off services in the next few months.

Double-decker buses, a common mode of transportation in the city in the 1970s and ’80s, were used by commuters to travel to hotspots such as M.G. Road, Shivajinagar, City Market and Jayanagar. However, they were phased out from the BMTC fleet as they were too unwieldy for the city’s roads. The lone bus that remained on the fleet and was used for city tours was stopped in 2014 because of waning interest.

Now, the BMTC wants to bring back the old-time charm of these buses. However, it is unable to find a manufacturer who can supply them. “The decision to purchase five buses has been cleared by the board, but we have been searching for a manufacturer. We will soon begin talks with a Pune-based travel agency that operates these buses in Goa,” said BMTC chairman Nagaraj Yadav.

According to Mr. Yadav, the BMTC is yet to take a call on whether to operate double-deckers on normal routes or keep them for special services. “We will have to chalk out new routes for the buses considering the number of flyovers that have come up across the city. These will be done once we get the buses,” he said.

The goal is to allow youngsters to get a glimpse of public transport. “For many youngsters, the experience of a BMTC bus is not enough to convince them to shift to public transport. If we get a few open-top or even closed-top double-deckers, it might change their perception of the BMTC,” Mr. Yadav said.