If you are waiting for a BMTC bus on a not-so-busy route in the city, chances are that it may not arrive at all. The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, to cut losses, has taken a decision to call off services that are not making profit. But recently, BMTC cancelled a service on one of its busiest routes from Hebbal and RT Nagar towards Shivajinagar which has inconvenienced hundreds of commuters. A large number of physically challenged people have pleaded with the BMTC to resume services on the route.
“Many who stay near R.T. Nagar and surrounding places are facing problems because BMTC has cancelled services towards Shivajinagar. We went to nearby BMTC depots to get information, but officials had the same reply that buses are under repair,” said Mr Vikas Kumar, a regular commuter. Earlier, BMTC operated five buses on this route – 287K, 287T, 287L and 287H – but all of them were cancelled without prior notice. People staying near Dasarahalli (near Hebbal) now spend a lot of money on autos or go by walk to board buses (G9s) at Kodigehalli Gate.
“We have no option but to walk till Kodigehalli to gets buses to Shivajinagar. BMTC is a government organisation and should serve the public, but officials seem interested only in earning revenues. Many physically challenged people too are affected. BMTC officials should look into the issue and solve it as soon as possible. We also demand that the number of trips during peak hours be increased,” said Mr Santosh, a businessman who stays in Dasarahalli.
As the state-run corporation has been running up losses of over Rs 850 crore, it has started taking tough measures, including withdrawal of buses from low revenue routes to pare losses.
