As urbanization is rapid the growth is parallel in every field so that it can supplement and support various activities to sustain the progress. Transport is without a doubt one of the major concerns of any government in a developed city and to maintain its standards according to changes is always on the go to address the needs of the majority of the population who rely on public modes of transportation on a day to day basis.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is one of the three subsidiaries of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. The BMTC provides for transport in various categories of city buses:
- Red buses – introduced in 2011 the buses belong the category of buses with Euro IV emissions
- Suvarna – Much of these buses are converted into categories of buses
- BIG 10 – These buses deploy Suvarna type of buses
- BIG Circle – Most of these buses ply on ring roads linking numerous parts of the city
- Pushpak – These were launched back in the 90’s where the bus driver also carries the duties of a conductor
- Vajra – These are hi-tech buses with more expensive fares serving commuters to IT sectors and residential routes
- Vayu Vajra – These operate through 12 routes towards the airport.
- Atal Sarige – These are low cost transport serving commuters at cheaper rates
- Metro Feeder- These buses were introduced after the operation of the metro trains commenced
The BMTC is well known for its long routes of travel operation and operates over 2000 routes. Because of its longer routes the need for changing modes of transport on a frequent basis is not required and is quite convenient for the commuter. The longest course is named route 600 and covers 117 kms in a roundtrip throughout the city of Bengaluru and covers the northern and the southern part with the same circulation covers a wide area of distribution.
The BMTC in 2016 went digital with the Intelligence Transport System which at the same time acted as a data tool which provided very indepth large data about the transportation scenario and enabled BMTC to determine decision and strategy implementations and also helped the commuters in choosing which mode of transport to travel in which provided data and valuable information. The ITS has four major components which are:
- Vehicle Tracking System which shares real time data location of the vehicle
- Electronic Ticketing System includes electronic information of the tickets
- Passenger Information System – It provides information about buses going from particular locations/stops
- BMTC – Mobile Application – It gives real time information about buses, estimated time of arrival etc.
The growth of technology has made efficient transport systems in Bengaluru and helped in collecting massive information to enable government agencies for taking effective and proper policy making in relation to public commuting.