No standing ovation??
Further to fellow metblogger Deepa’s post today,
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Sunday added three more Volvo bus routes to the existing 37 services.
One can really empathize with commuters having to pay 4 to 5 times the normal bus fare for the Volvo and then having to stand all the way to their destination.
Further, with the announcement of the CM recently about 1000 additional Volvos to ply on the streets of Bangalore, one shudders at the plight of standing commuters. As an aside, its amazing to know that BMTC spends Rs. 74 lakh for one Volvo bus, of which Rs. 24 lakh goes towards central and State taxes.
At this rate(s), one wonders how fares for Volvo bus rides can ever hope to come down! To drive revenues, if not more passengers, a ‘Bottom of the pyramid’ approach is the need of the hour.
It should be interesting to see how the BMTC reacts to public opinion on this aspect.
BMTC website down even as I write this.
There was some news of allowing advertising on all the Volvo buses. Apparently advertising contributes more in revenue per km. than passenger fares!
Where are the ROADS for these Volvo’s ??
@Someone: I’m not surprised!
@Mehak: On the drawing board. Actually, its possible that they will ply on the proposed roads over stormwater drains! Seriously, your guess is as good as mine!
1000 more volvos; I dont about others I am happy.If you come to the price, Practically Volvos are not looking at the people who commute in the buses. They are trying pull those people who travel by car. I hope more volvos will reduce people driving the car to office. I have seen this happening with my friends. And if you compare to driving cars to office to office ( 15KM one side) volvos are cheaper, helps traffic, helps to control pollution.
And during the rush hour its left to the people to if they want to standing or wait for the next bus or catch an auto.
Rs. 24 lakh goes towards central and State taxes.
that is the part i don’t understand.
govts give subsidies for small cars and more importantly govts give subsidies for fuel for private transit. and then, they tax public transport. they set up these public transport corporations to fail.
and then every one and their grandfather wonders if huge public transport investments are worthy.
if they take out these subsidies, mane manegu barutte metro. :)
BMTC Volvo Bus service is very good initiative. Its targetted at people who use cars / bikes.
Note that there is a concession for montly pass holder. If you have Pushpak pass you pay Rs20 for volvo ticket for one time travel.
I travel daily 18km up and 18km down eveyday and because of volvo service my monthly expenditure for communting to office is less than Rs1500.
I look forward to see many more such buses.