Bengaluru: The state government is contemplating to introduce electric buses to avoid incurring loss for its transport corporations due to the frequent hike in diesel price, according to Minister for Transport H.M. Revanna.
“The Central Government has convened a meeting in Ahmedabad on September 19 to discuss the introduction of electric buses. A decision on this regard will be taken after discussing in the proposed meeting,’’ Minister Revanna said.
He said the state transport corporations have been doing well in providing better service to the passengers during the last four years.
“The transport corporations have bagged 209 national and international awards,’’ the minister said.
3,000 news buses
The minister said the government has decided to add 3,000 new buses to the various transport corporations, including Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) by this year end.
“Twenty-three Volvo buses were added to the BMTC on Wednesday. We are planning to add 107 more Volvo buses soon,’’ the minister said.
Transfer of employees
The minister said the employees of four transport corporations (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, North East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, and North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation) have been demanding for intra-transport corporation transfers for quite long time.
“We have already transferred Group C and D category employees. Action will be taken to complete the process of transferring other employees who sought transfer on their own,’’ the minister said.
New divisions
The minister said the KSRTC division at Shivamogga has already been commenced. “Chitradurga division will be commissioned shortly,’’ he said.
Free land for bus depots
The minister for transport said the land for construction of bus depots was being purchased based on acquisition process through the government by paying 50 per cent payment or in case of private lands, as per the market value.
“Now, the state government is providing land free of cost for the construction of bus depots,’’ he said.
Free bus passes for retired staffs
The minister said the transport corporations have been collecting Rs 500 from each retired employee towards processing fee. “Free bus passes are being issued to them to travel freely in ordinary and express buses,’’ he said.
Washing unit
The minister said a washing unit has been installed at the Central Divisional Workshop in Bengaluru to wash bedsheets, blankets, and curtains used in premier service buses.
Bus terminals in Bengaluru
The minister has said the BMTC has been constructing bus terminals at BTM Layout at an estimated cost of Rs 67.12 crore, Kalasipalya (Rs. 60 crore), Kengere Satellite Town (Rs 8.68 crore), Hosakote (Rs 20 crore), and MES Palya (Rs 2 crore).
DL system
The minister said the Centralised Sarathi-4 software developed by the Central Government related to driving licence (DL) system will be implemented at all the Regional Transport Offices across the state except in Bengaluru.
