Date:13/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/13/stories/2006091322450300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

400 additional buses to be run during peak hours

Staff Reporter

They will ply between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The buses, with a special colour scheme, will ply on identified routes

Backseats of Volvo buses to be redesigned

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will deploy over 400 additional buses to cater to the peak hour rush in a phased manner within two months.

The buses, with a special colour scheme for easy identification, would ply on identified routes during peak hours. BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathy told The Hindu that orders for these buses would be placed after the board meeting of the corporation, which is scheduled shortly. The Transport Minister had last week announced that a study of the bus routes with high passenger density during peak hours had been mapped. The extra trips would be between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Women special buses

He had also said the number of Women Special buses would be increased from 12 to 25 owing to good response from women commuters.

Meanwhile, the corporation has redesigned the backseats of its Volvo buses following commuters' complaints lack of adequate leg and shoulder room. Mr. Tripathy said adequate leg space was not made available in the original design and the same had been set right.

Also, the air conditioner vents hindered smooth movement of commuters in the rear of Volvo buses and the same has been rectified, he added.