Date:03/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/03/stories/2005050314860400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Few takers for MMTS link bus services

Vikram Sharma

APSRTC overlooks basics before introducing the facility

HYDERABAD: This is one facility that is hardly serving any purpose. The blue coloured Multi Mode Transit System (MMTS) bus link service, which is supposed to pick up and drop MMTS passengers between railway stations and surrounding areas, is yet to find takers.

As many as 50 buses, especially for the MMTS users, were introduced by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, in different phases in March. But, is the facility in the reach of passengers?

No awareness

"It is still new for the people. Many are still not aware of this bus service," reasons the APSRTC Hyderabad City Region Regional Manager, C. Pandu Ranga Murthy. According to him, the occupancy rate of the MMTS bus link service is hardly 10 per cent. Almost all the buses can be seen parked near the railway stations or at other places, totally empty.

Is "not being aware" the only reason ? "I regularly travel by MMTS. Have the authorities displayed the timings of the bus service anywhere? I haven't seen one anywhere. I don't even know as to where the bus is available after getting out from the railway station," says Venkata Ramana, a resident of Borabanda.

While the authorities appear to have overlooked the basics, that is, the display of timings, another issue is whether those using the bus are being picked up and dropped in tune with the timings of MMTS?

Purpose defeated

"I had once boarded the bus in Begumpet but decided to give up with the kind of experience I had with it. The bus reached the Begumpet railway station 15 minutes after the train left the station. I had to wait for the next train," said Anup Kumar Singh, a resident of Chandanagar, who travels by MMTS everyday.

He suggests that the authorities concerned should ensure that the bus picks up passengers and drops them at the railway station minutes before the train arrives. "Otherwise, what is the point in travelling by this bus," he says.

"It is too early to decide whether the bus service is being used by the people or not," feels Mr. Pandu Ranga Murthy. He however says that complaints can be lodged on the phone number -- 23443320.