Vajra monthly bus passes to cost less in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: In a new year gift for commuters, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced reduction of monthly and daily bus pass rates of A/C services and introduction of more high-end buses from January 1.

A statement released by the BMTC here on Tuesday said that monthly bus pass for Vajra services would henceforth cost Rs 2,000 as against the existing Rs 2,363 - a reduction of about 20%. The Corporation will also operate 81 more air-conditioned Vajra services on different routes across Bengaluru. However, there would be no change in the fares of ordinary and Vayu Vajra (airport buses) services.

The move comes in the wake of poor occupancy in buses, particularly in AC services, after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, as commuters feared that they would be more at risk of contracting coronavirus infection. In the initial days after easing of lockdown restrictions, only 10% of the 850-plus AC fleet of BMTC was operated.

The Corporation claims that AC buses which form a little more than 10% of the total fleet of more than 6,500 buses in the city, are the major revenue earners. BMTC has introduced Vajra buses mainly for officegoers in the IT corridor along the Outer Ring Road like Electronic City and Whitefield. But now, with many opting for work from home (WFH), Corporation officials are exploring new routes to operate new fleet.

All is not hunky-dory in BMTC which was rocked by staff strike earlier this month over delay in payment of salaries. The Corporation cited lack of revenue as the reason for the delay in payment of salaries.

Both BMTC and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) staff went on strike demanding that they be treated on a par with State government employees.

Monthly pass

Existing

` 2,363

Revised

` 2,000

Vajra day Pass

Existing

` 147

Revised

` 120