Travel by Volvo Buses in Bangalore
Here is some good news for students and senior citizens in Bangalore. As a Vijayadashami gift, BMTC students' bus pass has now been extended to Pushpak and Suvarna Sarige buses. The concession of 25 per cent for senior citizens travelling in BMTC buses is now extended for Volvo services as well for Bangalore Buses and ksrtc Buses. Transport Minister R Ashok, said at a press conference on Thursday that this facility would come into effect from September 28. 'About 2.5 lakh students who are already availing BMTC bus pass facility can now travel in Pushpak and Suvarna Sarige buses also. The same bus pass will be valid for travelling with no extra money charged,' he said. This apart, senior citizens who have attained 65 years of age and above, can now avail 25 per cent concession to travel in BMTC Volvo buses too. 'This facility is only extended to Volvo Vajra bus service and not for international airport route i.e., Vayu Vajra bus service,' informed Ashok.
Regarding the inconvenience faced by the senior citizens to avail 25 per cent concession for travelling in BMTC buses as the bus conductors demand their senior citizenship card for age proof, the minister promised that he would direct the concerned officials and the conductors immediately to accept any of the proofs from senior citizens. 'Every beneficiary can't produce senior citizenship card and hence any age proof can be accepted,' he said. Ashok said that with BMTC receiving an overwhelming response from the public to its commu-dine pantry service initiative in Volvo Vajra buses, the service will now be extended in all Volvo Vajra buses. 'BMTC is keen on introducing the pantry service on other bus routes too. Hence, in this regard, a memorandum of understanding will be signed between BMTC and commu-dine agency on November 1 to set up mobile restaurants,' he said. Under this, the pantry service will be extended to 370 BMTC Volvo Vajra buses. It may be recalled here that BMTC had introduced commudine pantry service initiative in Volvo Vajra buses as a pilot project in July 2009 in eight BMTC Volvo Vajra buses plying on the ITPL, Electronics City and BIA routes.
Passengers in general and office- goers in particular, who may have missed their morning cup of coffee or breakfast, now have the option of having them in the bus. The passengers will have a choice from among idli, dosa and burger, besides tea, coffee and even soup, all of which are priced reasonably. Regarding imposing of fine on BMTC bus conductors for male passengers occupying female passenger seats in city buses, Ashok said that male passengers will also be fined for doing so. 'This will be discussed at the next board meeting,' he added.
