Written By kbsyed61 - 7 February, 2011

Bangalore BMTC Bus Bengaluru Analysis Transportation public transport Bus Day public transport

On Feb 2nd, BMTC observed its first Bus Day anniversary and announced that Bus Day will be observed in other cities/towns like Mysore, Dharwar and Hubli. It was a subtle message that the monthly ritual of Bus day in Bengaluru would continue. I was very curious to know what BMTC is planning for this year as a result of one year learning via 12 Bus Days. I know that they have received tons of feedback ranging from new routes/service to total revamp of their operations. I haven’t been  lucky to get a sense of BMTC’s response to all the feedback. I wish I will hear soon from BMTC on this front.

The thought of another year of Bus Day ritual gives me shrills on my spine. I am now questioning myself of utility of Bus Day in 2010 and in 2011. In that pursuit, here is my quest for the answer to the question whether  Bus Day is a “Date” or “Live-in-Relationship” ?

To the question of whether BD is Date or Live-in-relationship, let us start with first choice, Bus Day to be a Date. Going back to some of the early discussions on Praja and elsewhere on this, the suggestion for BUS Day was to provide BMTC a firsthand experience of increased daily commuters and to see how well it is positioned to cater to the new demand. Therefore initial Bus Day was meant to be like a ‘Date’ to understand each other and make an informed decision for solemnizing the relationship into a long term relationship, called MARRIAGE. Marriage in terms of new BMTC with new purpose and structure that can handle the city’s need for PT buses in each and every corner.

The initial Bus Day rituals provided the BMTC with all the data, feedback, suggestion, firsthand experience of its shortcomings and the learning that is very vital to make a new beginning. Basically it provided the necessary inputs to make that informed decision to get into ‘Marriage Relationship’.

Marriage here means BMTC is taking up the responsibility of supporting the residents of Bengaluru in a new organizational setup, revamping of its existing routes and services and better management of its operations.

• The informed decision should have been to disband its operational philosophy of yester-years and come up with a realistic and rationalized plan that has the potential to serve Bengaluru City for next 50 years.
• The plan which will call for a complete 360-Degree analysis of City’s needs and determine how best BMTC fits into those needs. For this, definitely BMTC could have roped in well known planners and executioners to lay out those plans.
• The plan outlining how the new services would be position, that gives the residents to move from one end of the city to other with least changeovers but more importantly having more than one choice.
• The Plan that introduces single fare card/pass for the entire journey irrespective of number of changeovers.
• The Plan that calls for implementing best practices in service management operations using the best technology that is available.
• The Plan that unleashes a new level of customer satisfaction in all aspects of commuter interactions with the BMTC. Plan that integrates with all other PT modes.
• The Plan that would integrate the last mile connectivity choices.
• The Plan that is positioned to meet the demands from new layouts and development.
• The Plan that makes the perfect economic sense in mixing Public-Private interests which in the end is Win-Win situation for everybody. Both BMTC and the public.

This should have been the outcome of decision from BMTC to say ‘I Do’ to post ‘Date’ experience. Unfortunately, it seems BMTC is happy with current arrangement of monthly rituals where it doesn’t have plan on doing more or experimenting newer and bolder choices it has.

Instead of solemnizing this Marriage proposal, looks like BMTC has gone in for ‘Live-in-Relationship’ arrangement. Instead of Bus Day becoming a daily affair, BMTC is happy with continuing the monthly Bus Days. What this buys for BMTC is, it has nothing to do much on restructuring, revamping or rationalizing its services and operations. What it means to the expecting public is not much will be done to mitigate the current problems with commute during peak hours. Some areas will be over-served. Some will be under-served as done before. Basically BMTC bears no responsibility towards public while enjoying the benefits of continued patronage from it. This is what the ‘Live-in’ Relationship’ provides for the consenting parties.

It is the biggest joke of 2011 that BMTC would like to continue with monthly ritual of Bus day. What should have been a temporary affair getting replaced with permanent relationship, the affair continues. Now we will observe Bus Day anniversaries on the lines of Independence Day or Republic Days.

With the kind of apathy shown by GOK, what can an ordinary resident do to voice his disagreement to this –“live-in-Relationship”. Boycott BMTC one day a month? Take the Bus, but don’t pay? BMTC Disobedience?  Seems no dearth of ideas to make BMTC take notice.

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