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Why I gave up on BMTC
Written By namma_nadu - 9 June, 2008
Bangalore Congestion BMTC BTM Layout Review competition public transport
[Kind of mirrors what so many members here think of BMTC - routing not right, slow, last mile hassle etc etc - here is a real user experience {blr_editor}]
Last week i resolved to try BMTC to commute to office - from BTM to CBD - Ulsoor Road ( or Halsooru Road). I had written earlier to Mr. Sheriff and Tripathy earlier on the pathetic treatment meted out to BTM residents - to no avail. There is not a single bus that runs from BTM to MG Road directly - convenient to travellers.
First - we have 201 and its variants - which are crowded by the time they reach BTM. Requests for a BTM - Domlur variant have been denied till date. Requests for a 'seating only' premium variant have been declined.
Next option is BTM - Shivajinagar - 161D (i think) - that bus route is a joke - From BTM, the bus enters koramangala near Madivala (Kendriya Sadan) and enters Hosur Road again (near Forum) -- normally 30 minutes to do this jig....and then enters Shantinagar near (erstwhile Elgin Mills) and joins Richmond Road. This is pathetic as that road is one-way except for BMTC buses (hence the road is jammed on the right by the oncoming traffic - who are perplexed by the buses on the 'one way' and it takes atleast 20 minutes to reach richmond road. By the time, the bus reached MG Road - it was 10.15 am (for a bus that started at BTM at 8.30 am).
Now i had to take an auto to reach office (the 14th auto took mercy on me - as this was minimum meter @ Rs.15/- + 5/- for the 'mercy').
I have written to BMTC requesting for premium service - during rush hours - charging a premium - double (or more) the fare - seating only AND have point to point -- BTM to Shivajinagar with a stop on Residency Road & MG Road ONLY - in the shortest route possible - BTM to Hosur Road - onto Museum Road - to St Marks Road - to shivajinagar -- Something they can cover in 45 minutes during the rush hour.
Why cant they do this? If its a volvo - i am pretty sure that would atleast be full during rush hours. Another point is that BMTC has ignored BTM for volvo services completely ( Are only JP nagar residents preferred for volvo travel ?? - there is no airport bus from BTM). In fact one route that i had suggested has been ignored - Silkboard to Majestic via BTM / Jayanagar 5th Block - and then straight on 'Nanda' road. The volvo's are never seen during rush hours in the evening - they are taken off at 7 pm....while they ply empty between 11.00 am - 4.00 pm.
I think BMTC has lost the plot. Enough of my rantings. Oh ! and i have shifted back to using my car ....after a week.
COMMENTS
Getting better ...but not yet there
namma_nadu - 2 May, 2009 - 05:05
murali772 - 2 May, 2009 - 07:53
Namma-nadu avare'
The short arm of the 'L' in 26 different directions is what has led to 1800 routes, and 201A to Z (and beyond) kind of numbering. That's certainly not the way to go. What's required is first and last mile immediate connectivity through shuttle services. That was indeed the idea behind the Ho-Ho. But, the BMTC coterie appears to have other plans. I certainly don't envy Prof AM's task, and for which he is not getting paid even.
Muralidhar Rao
Today's Mirror says BMTC apologized
Naveen - 5 December, 2010 - 04:58
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has suspended its conductor for illtreating a passenger. Bangalore Mirror had published a report titled At mercy of rogue conductor (Dec 2) which mentioned how G Tanzeem, a techie, was subjected to harassment.
The BMTC also said the “inconvenience caused to the commuter due to unhelping attitude of the conductor is deeply regretted”.
Commuting in Bangalore - All modes a problem
Vasanth - 5 December, 2010 - 09:12
Well, commuting Bangalore either by car or by two wheeler or by bus any mode you take, it is a problem !
Cars suffer from frequent dents and many other car drivers irk by staring at you, exchanging words etc., expensive along with causing congestion, higher emission, parking problems etc.
two wheelers are no more safer due to increased number of rash driving 4 wheelers ,
public transport buses have so many problems as buses not stopping in bus stop, conductor / driver mis behaves, combination of lazy bus drivers and conductors wastes commuter time like anything,
Autos do not come to where we request, demand more, not safer.
How to commute???
I was always thinking affordable sharable standard service taxis like Meru cabs / Easy cabs introducing small car based taxis with shareable option. It will be indirect car pooling, no hassles of driving, point to point service, no need to bother about vehicle or no need to own.
silkboard - 3 April, 2009 - 12:56
... this old post on real BMTC user experience. namma_nadu, did you try switching to BMTC again, or still with your car for daily commute?
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