Bengaluru: In welcome news, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses will pick up and drop passengers from inside the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station soon.
It was confirmed after BMTC Managing Director C. Shikha met South Western Railway (SWR) officials and inspected the third entrance of the railway station in front of the Kempegowda Metro Interchange Station.
“BMTC senior officials visited the place and agreed to operate services through the third entrance. But the number of bus services and deadlines haven’t been finalised yet because it will take time as per the demand,” a senior Railway official said.
BMTC sources said that more details of bus schedules will be divulged after the model code of conduct for the December 5 Assembly by-election ends.
The third entrance, built at a cost of Rs 1.7 crore and spread over 3,500 sqm, was opened to the public in June this year. It gives direct access to platform 1 and the SWR recently set up a ticket counter for the benefit of passengers. However, it is yet to become popular among commuters, who continue to use the main entrance.
The KSR station has 2 lakh footfalls per day. The new entry will provide access to Kempegowda Metro Station’s main entrance and has space for parking 100 two-wheelers and 22 cars, with a ticket counter that can be scaled up to four.
Currently, passengers with luggage at the KSR City railway station depend on autorickshaws to reach the BMTC bus terminus or they have to walk more than half a km to catch a bus from Majestic.
Earlier, the Railways was not allowing BMTC buses inside the station due to space constraints. But now with the third entrance, there is adequate space for buses to park, pick up and drop passengers.
Train passengers can easily catch a BMTC bus once they step out of the platform. Platforms 1 to 10 of the KSR City railway station are well connected. BMTC too will be at an advantage as its ridership is expected to increase.
"It's good to see both departments coming together to help commuters by operating BMTC buses inside the railway station. I am sure that all buses which operate from the railway station will be make a profit because it is a much-required facility for travellers," said Mr Suraj, a regular train user.
