Passengers of Namma Metro will soon be able to get information about the schedules of feeder bus services operating from a particular Metro station, track the buses in real time, and know their expected time of arrival.
Metro passengers can avail this facility by scanning a QR code, to be made available at Metro stations with ‘Namma BMTC’ mobile app.
The app will be enabled with the requisite feature by BMTC. Confirming that work is under way in this regard, BMTC managing director Ramachandran R told TOI that more than 1 lakh passengers rely on the BMTC’s feeder services to commute and 43 of the 66 operational Metro stations are linked with feeder buses.
“To increase patronage of city bus services and complement Metro services, we’re proposing multiple initiatives. One of them is the introduction of a QR code-based system, which will help a Metro passenger find a feeder bus service after getting off at a station. We’ve started work on this,” the official said.
Asked why 23 Metro stations don’t have feeder services, the official said, “Because of operational constraints such as lack of bus bays, non-availability of turnaround space, and poor patronage, running feeder services from all Metro stations isn’t feasible. However, we’ll consider providing services depending on demand.”
Funding night buses
Considering the poor patronage of feeder services operated at night, BMTC has approached Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited seeking financial support to make late-night feeder services a viable option. “It isn’t financially viable to operate feeder services late at night when occupancy is 15-30%. If we receive financial support to compensate for operational losses, it will be a win-win situation for both Namma Metro and BMTC as more people will patronise both services,” the official said.
