Latest news with #BMTC
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru Metro's loss is BMTC' gain on NICE Road
Bengaluru: With the long-delayed Yellow Line of Namma Metro to Electronics City still not open to public, thousands of commuters are turning to BMTC's NICE Road express bus services, which have seen a sharp rise in ridership and earnings in recent months. Launched in Dec 2023, BMTC services along NICE Road corridor began with 62,000 passengers. Today, they attract more than 4 lakh commuters each month. The corporation is now operating 53 buses across 17 routes on NICE Road, with daily ridership exceeding 13,000 passengers. Revenue has also seen a notable jump, with earnings per kilometre doubling in just over a year to Rs 58.8 from Rs 26.1. Among the services gaining traction is the recently introduced non-stop express route covering 48km between Madavara and Electronics City. BMTC chief traffic manager (operations) GT Prabhakar Reddy said the services have outpaced other major corridors within city limits in terms of popularity. "...Responding to this demand, we've added more routes and buses. We've also introduced a direct link from Tavarekere to Electronics City and are planning to roll out 10 AC buses on this route," he said. NICE Road buses now connect key IT hubs via routes originating in Madavara, Vijayanagar TTMC, Bidadi, Kengeri, Banashankari, Basaveshwara Nagar, and other residential areas. Commuters cite reduced travel time and avoidance of city-centre congestion as key reasons for choosing NICE corridor. A one-way ticket from Madavara to Electronics City costs Rs 76, including a Rs 30 toll charge levied by NICE. Although BMTC had earlier requested the toll be reduced or waived for public transport buses, the proposal did not receive any favourable response from NICE authorities. Several passengers also use Metro to reach Madavara before switching to buses to complete their journey to Electronics City. This seamless multimodal shift has become increasingly necessary, as BMRCL continues to miss deadlines for the Yellow Line, connecting RV Road and Bommasandra. Despite spending nearly Rs 7,000 crore on the 19-km elevated stretch, the Metro line — initially expected to launch in June with three trains — is yet to receive third-party safety clearance for its signalling system. With no official launch date in sight and repeated delays, public confidence in BMRCL's timeline continues to erode. Meanwhile, BMTC's efficient operations along NICE Road are proving to be a lifeline for daily commuters to the city's IT corridor. Box Rising demand NICE Road bus service launches in Dec 2023 Starts with 62,000 passengers Currently, route caters to 4 lakh commuters a month BMTC now operates 53 buses across 17 routes on NICE Road Daily ridership exceeds 13,000 passengers Earnings per km doubles in over a year from Rs 26.1 to Rs 58.8 Recently introduced non-stop express route, covering 48km between Madavara and Electronics City, gains traction
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru bike taxi riders protest outside Vidhana Soudha to lift the ban, detained
Tension unfolded outside Vidhana Soudha on Saturday as a group of bike taxi riders staged a protest against the ongoing suspension of bike taxi operations in Karnataka. The protest, held without prior permission, led to the detention of several riders by city police. The bike-taxis in Bengaluru were banned due to non-availability of legal frame work. Also Read - BMTC launches express bus services and temple tours in Bengaluru. All you need to know The demonstrators gathered to press the state government for urgent intervention, demanding the revocation of the blanket ban and the introduction of a clear regulatory framework that would allow bike taxis to legally operate in the state. According to police, the riders were swiftly dispersed and taken into custody after assembling outside the state legislature building. A police case has been registered against the protestors for violating public assembly norms and attempting to hold a demonstration in front of Vidhana Soudha without official clearance. The protesting riders stressed that bike taxis are a lifeline for thousands, not only providing affordable transportation but also sustaining livelihoods across the city and beyond. They argued that, instead of banning the service altogether, the government should establish a well-defined set of rules to ensure both safety and accountability for operators and commuters alike. Also Read - Raids expose bars and pubs in Bengaluru using inappropriately dressed women, 19 establishments booked The protest comes in the backdrop of a recent decision by the Karnataka High Court, which upheld an earlier order suspending bike taxi services across the state. On April 2, a single-judge bench had ruled that bike taxis could not operate unless the state government framed specific guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act. The order gave companies six weeks to comply, with the deadline later extended to June 15. Subsequently, Uber, Ola, and Rapido, the major app-based mobility companies, approached the court seeking relief. However, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar declined to grant any stay on the earlier directive, effectively reinforcing the suspension. (With agency inputs)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
BMTC launches express bus services and temple tours in Bengaluru. All you need to know
Jun 21, 2025 03:38 PM IST The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Friday announced the launch of new express bus services on five major routes connecting the city to its outskirts. The services will begin from June 21, aimed at easing traffic congestion and offering faster travel for daily commuters. Karnataka transport minister launching BMTC express service in Bengaluru. Also Read - Karnataka man kills wife for excessive watching of Instagram reels: Report Speaking at the launch, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the new limited-stop express services will operate between Kempegowda Bus Stand (Majestic) and Banashankari TTMC to Attibele, Devanahalli, Harohalli, and Nelamangala. What is BMTC express bus service? BMTC will operate a total of 48 schedules and 348 daily trips, with buses running every 20 to 30 minutes. The express buses will run on the following route Ex-KBS-3A: Kempegowda Bus Stand to Attibele – 10 trips Ex-600F: Banashankari TTMC to Attibele – 10 trips Ex-298M: Kempegowda Bus Stand to Devanahalli – 10 trips Ex-213V: Banashankari TTMC to Harohalli – 8 trips Ex-258C: Kempegowda Bus Stand to Nelamangala – 10 trips To encourage frequent travel, BMTC has introduced a new 'Express Ordinary Services Monthly Pass' priced at ₹ 1,500 (excluding toll charges). The pass is available digitally through the Tummoc app. The fare for these express services will remain the same as regular BMTC buses. Also Read - Mass demonstration held at Bengaluru's Vidhana Soudha to mark 11th International Yoga Day Temple tour service launched In addition to the express routes, BMTC has also introduced a new spiritual tourism package titled 'Ghati Isha Foundation', which will be operated on weekends and public holidays. The AC bus tour will begin at 9 a.m. from Kempegowda Bus Station, covering the following locations: Nelamangala Anjaneya Swamy Temple Ghati Subrahmanya Temple Jnana Teertha Linga Isha Foundation Lunch will be arranged during the day-long tour, which concludes by 7 p.m. The package is priced at ₹ 600 per person. Two more premium spiritual tour services, Isha Foundation-1A from Banashankari TTMC and 1B from Central Silk Board, are also set to begin soon.
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Fire breaks out at Basic Military Training Centre bunk in Pulau Tekong
SINGAPORE: A fire broke out in a bunk at the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC) in Pulau Tekong on Friday afternoon (Jun 20). The incident occurred at an unoccupied accommodation block, a Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) spokesperson said in response to CNA's queries, adding that the fire alarm was triggered at 1.51pm. "The fire was promptly extinguished by BMTC staff who had heard the fire alarm and spotted the smoke," the spokesperson added. "No BMTC staff or trainees were injured." A video widely circulated on TikTok showed a bunk covered in soot, while a man was seen using a water hose. Overturned mattresses, exposed electrical wiring and a blackened ceiling can be seen in the video. The video caption indicated that it was Viper company that had been affected, but MINDEF did not confirm this. The ministry that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is assisting the Singapore Civil Defence Force in investigating the cause of the fire.
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
BMTC to introduce express bus services along key Bengaluru routes from today
The BMTC will run 48 buses that will make 348 daily trips on the express routes. It will also issue monthly passes for these services at a cost of Rs 1,500.
