GST effect! BMTC scouts for space to park old buses

Bengaluru: The BMTC is looking for space to temporarily park 800 outdated non-AC buses, Transport Minister Revanna said at a press conference on Friday. 

“GST and demonetisation have affected the scrap market and the corporation plans to wait until we are can sell the vehicles in whole or parts. 100 can be kept at the Challaghatta workshop and the rest in two other depots. We are scouting for government land to park the remaining," he said.

BMTC officials said that if these buses are sold immediately, it will cause problems in the audit. “Each bus costs Rs 2-3 lakh, and no vendors are coming forward now. As the tax has increased from 5% to 28%, the scarp market has fallen. These buses have crossed the limit of 8 lakh kilometres and have depreciated in value," they said.

BMTC MD Ponnuraj and Chairman Nagaraj Yadav said that Rs 1.35 lakh is being spent for repairing 90 unused Volvo buses. Stationed at Depot 7, the mechanics are working on them, so that they can be used for commercial service.

“Of the 6,000-odd buses, 850 of them have been fitted with CCTV cameras. Nine depots are under construction in addition to the existing 46,” Mr Ponnuraj said. “We are working with KSRTC to make Peenya Bus Stand another major inter-modal hub like Majestic. Because of major congestion at Majestic Bus Stand with BMTC, KSRTC, Railways and Metro at one spot, the government wants to make Peenya a hub as well. Just like we have the Satellite Bus Stand on the Mysore Road corridor, Peenya can become an important interchange with KSRTC and Metro already present. Infrastructure is in place and only services have to be re-routed. This will reduce congestion caused by private buses, crowding near bus stops for commuters," Mr Ponnuraj said.