App-based service may click for BMTC, says Experts

BENGALURU: Despite private operators like Ola Share and Uber Pool eating into its revenue, the state-run Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) seems to be in no particular hurry to tackle the growing threat.

Experts feel that Bengaluru, with its choking traffic, could do well to emulate the Delhi model. At present, stage carriage permit in the city is BMTC’s exclusive right and no other private operator is allowed to pick up or drop passengers.

The Transport Department had earlier cracked down on app-based mini bus operators like Zipgo and Ola Shuttle citing violation of permit rules which ironically also applies to Ola Share and Uber Pool services, but are operating unhindered. Ola Share and Uber Pool also pick up or drop passengers from different points.

When contacted, a senior Transport Department official said: “We are waiting for a response from the Centre to take a decision on car-pooling services. But private firms cannot operate mini buses in the city”.

BMTC is meanwhile struggling to cater to the burgeoning demands of the city. “We will soon study the Delhi’s bus aggregator model and will take a decision on whether it is feasible here,” said a senior BMTC official.

He added they will soon hire 1,500 buses from private firms on lease basis. While private operators will have to look after operation, maintenance and driving staff, BMTC will provide conductors for the operation of bus.

Experts say introducing the app-based mini bus service model can help cut down number of cars, ease congestion and offer commuters a cheaper option.

Pawan Mulukutla of the NGO World Resources Institute said, “BMTC can rope in private firms who can develop an app and operate app-based mini buses services on fixed routes. BMTC can design a suitable revenue model and allow private firms to operate for a year on an experimental basis”.

He said routes along the Metro corridors have huge potential for app-based mini bus services. Muralidhar Rao, a member of the advocacy group Praja RAAG, said, “BMTC doesn’t have proper technology and experts to launch an app-based mini buses. They should allow others to do so”.