Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation

Infobox Bus transit
name = Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation

logo_size = 75


image_size = 250
image_caption = Vajra (Volvo Bus Service)
company_slogan = Moving you most economically
parent =
founded = 1940
headquarters = Bengaluru
locale = Bengaluru
service_type = Bus Service
routes = 4723
fleet = 4829
ridership = Approximately 3.7 million
ceo =
operator = Government of Karnataka
website = [http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/ BMTC]

B.M.T.C. stands for Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

Motto

To provide 'Efficient, Economic, Safe, Reliable and Punctual services' to the commuters of City and Sub-urban areas of Bangalore.

History

BMTC has its origin in a private company called Bangalore Transport Company (BTC) Limited founded in 1940 catering to the entire city with just 98 buses. The then Government of Mysore took over the city transport from the private company by an act in 1956, calling it Bangalore Transport Service [BTS] , and ran buses within 10- mile radius of the city. On August 15, 1997: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) was incorporated as a separate entity having been bifurcated from its parent body KSRTC. [cite web|url=http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/history.htm|work=Online webpage of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation|title=BMTC History|accessdate=2008-08-12]

About

The BTS's were originally red in colour, but BMTC's regular buses now are blue and white in colour and the "Pushpaks" are light brown. All the buses have been replaced by newer and better models. The public loved the new look buses which were originally termed as "Parisara Vaahini" (eco-friendly vehicle) and "Janti Vaahana" (dual bus). The Government also introduced "Grameena Saarige" for the rural areas close to the city. These are mini buses. The famous "Pushpak"s are the faster buses with limited stops and with a higher fare and a more luxurious seating. Today, they are the only profit making urban sector public corporation in India. BMTC is operating a sightseeing bus 'Bangalore Rounds' in the lines of the Curitiba model.

BMTC has become the first public sector city transport carrier in India to introduce Air Conditioned 'Vajra' Volvo buses. Now recently, BMTC has introduced another Volvo bus service named "Vayu Vajra" from important areas in Bangalore to the Bangalore International Airport in Devanahalli ( [http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/bial.html Airport Service] ).

Bifurcation

In 1981, the Government of Karnataka had started thinking on the lines of bifurcating KSRTC. This was to ensure better management and operations that would improve the quality of service. On bifurcation, each corporation would be equipped with powers to function as an independent entity making its own decisions according to its specific needs. The government proceeded on the following lines:

1981 : The Government constitutes study group with Mr. J.C. Lynn as its Chairman. 1988 : Expert Committee formed under the then Transport Secretary Mr. S. DoraiRaju. 1988 : Cabinet Sub Committee set up. 1992 : Expert Technical Committee formed under Mr. P. Kodandaramaiah,IPS, as Chairman 1994 : Legislature Committee formed under Mr. P.G.R. Sindhia, as Chairman

Bifurcating BTS from KSRTC was felt with more urgency:

The City was extending its boundaries rapidly with new residential localities coming up day in and day out. The population of the City was increasing rapidly. Consumer awareness was maturing fast, with expectations more on convenient and comfortable transport.

Bifurcation brought the desired results in a short span. For instance:

As BTS under KSRTC, it had not concentrated on improving infrastructural facility to fulfill the needs of the travelling public in the same pace. On becoming a separate corporation as BMTC, it had added 13 depots raising the total to 31 depots.] . [cite web|url=http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/bifurcation.htm|work=Online webpage of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation|title=BMTC Bifurcation|accessdate=2008-08-12]

Paying Fares

* By Cash: All buses accept cash for paying for the travel.
* By Daily Pass: This you can buy from any depot or from the Ticket collector in the bus. This costs Rs 30/- and does not have any limit on the number of trips you can make per day.
* By [http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/passes.htm Monthly Pass] : This can be bought across the city at 39 BMTC counters or at the 14 [http://www.bangaloreone.gov.in/public/BMTC-info.aspx BangaloreOne centers] , or from the 68 authorised agents of BMTC.

chedules

Infrastructure

BMTC is one of the biggest Public City Transport Corporation in India. Just have a bird's eye view of its present infrastructure:

Bus Depots

*Number of Depots: 30

* Depot 2:Shantinagar
* Depot 3:Shantinagar II
* Depot 4:Jayanagar
* Depot 5:Vijayanagar
* Depot 6:Indiranagar
* Depot 7:Subhashnagar
* Depot 8:Yeshwanthapur
* Depot 9:Jalahalli Cross
* Depot 10:Hennur Cross
* Depot 11:Yelahanka
* Depot 12:Kengeri
* Depot 13:Banashankari 3rd Stage 3rd Phase
* Depot 14:R.T. Nagar
* Depot 15:Koramangala
* Depot 16:Deepanjalinagar
* Depot 17:Chandra Layout
* Depot 18:Whitefield
* Depot 19:Electronic City
* Depot 20:Banashankari
* Depot 21:RajaRajeshwari Nagar
* Depot 22:Peenya
* Depot 23:Kalyana Nagar
* Depot 24:K.R. Puram
* Depot 25:H.S.R. Layout
* Depot 26:Yeshwanthpur II
* Depot 27:Jigani
* Depot 28:Hebbal
* Depot 29:K.R. Puram II
* Depot 30:Yelahanka II
* Depot 31:Srigandhadakavalu

These Depots serve not only as maintenance centres but also as nearest points to ply buses on the routes of their respective locations.

Major Bus Stations

* Subhashnagar (Kempe Gowda Bus Station popularly known as 'Majestic Bus Stand)
* Shivajinagar
* Shanthinagar
* City Market (K.R. Market)

Minor Bus Stations

*31 spread all over the City

List of Minor Bus Stations
#Anjanapura
#BTM Layout
#Banashankari
#Basaveshwaranagar
#BSK 3rd Stage 2nd Phase
#Chennamanakere Achukattu
#Chandra Layout
#Domlur
#Electronic City
#Hessaraghatta
#Jayanagar
#Jeevanbheemanagar
#Kadugodi
#Kalyana Nagar
#Kaval Byrasandra
#Kengeri
#Koramangala
#Kumaraswamy Layout
#Malleswaram
#Mahalakshmi Layout
#Muneshwara Block
#Nagarbhavi
#Nandini Layout
#Rajarajeshwari Nagar
#RPC Layout
#Vivek Nagar
#Vishweshwaiah Layout
#Vidyaranyapura
#Yelahanka Satellite Town
#Yeshwanthpur

Wayside Bus Shelters

2200 in city and sub-urban areas.

Central Workshop

Shantinagar where body building, renovation for FC renewals and reconditioning of assemblies are the prime activities.

At Present

BMTC presently operate 4723 schedules using a fleet of 4900 buses. It make 66665 trips covering 1.048 Million Service Kilometres and carries 3.7 Million Passengers. It earn a revenue of around Rs 22.5 Million.

BMTC has also introduced airport dedicated services from important areas in Bangalore to BIAL at Devanahalli. The routes are: [cite web|url=http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/bial.html|work=Online webpage of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Limited|title=BMTC Airport Service Details|accessdate=2008-08-12]

Details

The BMTC has major bus depots situated in "Subhashnagar" (Kempe Gowda Bus Station popularly known as 'Majestic' Bus Stand), "Shivajinagar", "City Market" ("Kalasipalyam") and a new one just constructed in "Shantinagar",31 Minor Bus Stations spread all over the City and 1020 Wayside Bus Shelters in city and sub-urban areas. These bus shelters are the new look bus stands with a modern look.

The BMTC is involved with 4665 schedules, with a fleet of 4,843 buses, making over 65,000 trips and carrying over 37 lakh passengers per day.In its original avatar,the BTS,the motto was BTS:nimma sevey gaagi(BTS:at your service).The BTS used to sport the royal insignia of the erstwhile Mysore state ,the 'Ganda beranda' now still a logo of the KSRTC and many government departments.

References

External links

* [http://www.bmtcinfo.com BMTC official website]
* [http://btis.in/bus.htm Search for BMTC bus stops near your area. Bus stops and routes are shown on a map of Bangalore]
* [http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/volvo.htm BMTC Volvo Bus Schedule]
* [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/18/stories/2006011801641900.htm] Volvo City Bus picture