Bangalore: RTI data proves frequency of non AC buses low in Whitefield

DNA: Bangalore: Wednesday, 02 September 2015.

An RTI (Right to Information) application filed by 29-year-old techie Naveen Kumar, a resident of Thubarahalli, has revealed that the number of AC buses plying from ITPL in Whitefield to Kempegowda Bus Station is twice that of non-AC buses.

With most middle class commuters depending on buses for their day-to-day commute, travel in AC buses puts a strain on their pockets. Commuters are unhappy with the less number of non-AC bus service in the route.

The RTI reveals that the number of scheduled AC buses operating on the ITPL-Kempegowda stretch by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) stands at 101 whereas there are only 53 non-AC buses scheduled for the same route.

Speaking to iamin, Kumar said, “Majority of the people prefer to travel in non-AC buses, provided that the condition of the bus is good and there is space. Not everyone can afford to pay AC bus fares on a regular basis. These are the commuters that are the worst hit. Students studying in the government schools also suffer as their passes are only valid in non-AC buses.”

Kumar had filed an RTI on the same subject in June last year as well. The RTI stated that there were 47 AC buses and only 12 non-AC buses operating from ITPL to Kempegowda Bus Station.

Anil Kumar Davu, 27, an employee of Automotive R&D, said, “The fares of the AC buses are three to four times more than that of non-AC buses. I don't have any problem with excess AC buses but BMTC have to maintain same ration between AC and non AC buses. I have to wait for more than 30 minutes for non-AC bus especially if it is too crowded. Sometimes I end up hanging at the door of the bus. By the time I reach my destination my clothes are drenched in sweat.”

Another regular commuter Raj Bala, a 28 year-old IT professional shared his experience of travelling in non-AC buses. He said, “Once I had to go to Vaidehi hospital from BMEL but as I was carrying my baby with me. Many people rushed to get into the bus which was already crowded. Those waiting with me climbed immediately but I could not as I was carrying my baby.” He claimed that he was left with no choice other than to pay extra to commute regularly on AC buses.