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Illegal buses - Bootlegging in Prohibition?
Written By idontspam - 7 September, 2009
Bangalore BMTC Bus Media Reports Transportation public transport
Illegal private bus services on the rise in Bangalore
"We do not have sufficient space to park seized maxi cabs and buses that indulge in such operations."
Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said that he requires at least 250 inspectors as against the present 40 , to monitor over three million vehicles in Bangalore alone
"We are concentrating on basic services such as issue of driving licences and permits, and collection of tax"
COMMENTS
Naveen - 8 September, 2009 - 13:41
The news report states :
One can see a number of old buses, most of them bought either from the coastal districts of the State or from a neighbouring State, plying between K.R. Market and Nagawara via Shivajinagar; K.R. Market and Hessarghatta via Majestic; K.R. Market and Marathalli; K.R. Market and Hoskote; K.R. Market and Vijayanagar K.R. Market and Kengeri, and K.R. Market and Ramanagaram to name only a few routes.
Thus, most of these sub-standard buses appear to operate out from KR market. I don't think it would be hard to accost them there itself - at KR market. Once they are driven out from there, they will of course find a new location, but the efforts to weed them out has to be done continuously.
I also noticed a lot of shabby mini-buses on Hosur road with TN or Kerala plates - something needs to be done there as well.
have been meaning to post this
silkboard - 8 September, 2009 - 14:20
Good report there. The rise is really noticeable. And in one case, I saw some exchange (money? not sure) between a traffic cop and a bus that was parked at Marathahalli.
Don't think all the routes run till K R Market. I definitely see some buses and mini buses do the marathahalli to Whitefield station route. The bus that does these rounds in the morning and evenings carries the Bangalore Hoskote board.
Who owns these buses? Hope Hindu does digging at this level as well.
And what does this say about the demand supply gap for public transport services?
Time for BMTC to rethink and let other players play in the local public transport market. There is scope for everyone. BMTC can make more than what it makes today, and perhaps 2-3 more players can thrive along.
silkboard - 8 September, 2009 - 17:39
Would this be the deadly arrack in waiting then? Perhaps it would take a few bad incidents (hope not) to wake up, or rather create a regulator.
Pic sourced from ryancordell@flickr, but won't take me more than 30 mins in the morning to find 3-4 of these.
[flickr-photo:id=2258387744,size=m]
As you rightly said, traffic Police will think enforcement (and easy money), where as BBMP and BMTC should think partly or fully open market for local public transportation with tight regulation.
idontspam - 9 September, 2009 - 05:03
has not resulted in attracting the better, more responsible players who offer good services
That could be because the public bus service corporation has vested interests in not putting up bus quality standards as a part of the contract.
he did provide good quality liquor in chicago illegaly
Do you believe the current providers will bring in volvos into service when they know it can be seized?
And what does this say about the demand supply gap for public transport services?
We are creating Al Capones and Veerappans. Shouldnt RTO be building a Regulator instead of a Police force. If you have ban you will get deadly arrack and not a Jhonnie Walker.
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