No late night BMTC buses, why?

Bengaluru: Two days after the brutal multiple sexual assault on a BPO employee, questions are being raised on the service pattern adopted by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). According to many, the dearth of BMTC buses after 9.30 pm is one of the prime reasons why they opt for private vehicles, cabs and TTs.

 

Passengers want BMTC to make runs at least till 10.30 pm as in the changed office hours, many women employees work till late evening. 

 

According to the passengers, after 9.30 pm, BMTC has very limited schedules leaving them no option but to opt for sometime riskier private transport.

 

Even if there are buses, BMTC plies only limited buses to selected areas.

 

A reality check done by this newspaper revealed that in important bus terminus  including Central, Malleswaram Circle, Sony World Junction in Koramangala, Kadugodi and Mekhri circle, hundreds of people including women and students found getting into cabs/TTs and private buses in the late night between 9.30 pm and 10 pm to reach their homes/paying guests. TTs having just one driver and a cleaner who are returning from the daily trips are the most popular choices of these passengers.

 

“The showroom where I am working closes only after 9.30 PM. I reach the central bus stand around 9.45 pm. But at that time there are no BMTC buses to Sadashivanagar area from Kempe Gowda Bus Terminus. But many TTs, private buses offer to drop us. They charge just '15. So, along with other women co passengers I also board these vehicles,” says, Mrs. Vinisha (name changed) who works in a shop inside Mantri Mall.