Bengaluru: Commuters demand more buses from rail stations to bus stands

Bengaluru: The demand for Bengaluru suburban railway is growing stronger to ensure last-mile connectivity to commuters. The suburban services carry about 1.5 lakh passengers a day. There is also a growing demand for dedicated bus services to and from railway stations on the lines of BMTC’s Vayu Vajra airport services as bus connectivity from stations such as Banaswadi, Carmelaram, Whitefield, Hoodi, Hebbal, Kengeri, Heelalige, Bellandur Road, KR Puram, Cantonment and Yelahanka is scarce.

Commuters are demanding that the BMTC syncs its operations with the train timings, provide information of estimated arrival time of buses and ensure dedicated services for train passengers. They have even signed an online petition ‘Save Volvos — Start dedicated AC Volvos from railway stations in Bengaluru, like airport Volvos’ on Change.org, which has received over 1,230 signatures so far.

"There are many people those who use intra-city trains because now it is getting more popular among commuters. So it’s time for the BMTC to provide for better bus services according to the train timings. Now, we have to walk more than half a km through the garbage-filled subway to catch a bus from Majestic. So we demand the corporation to allow bus from the KSR third entry point which has adequate space for BMTC buses to park, pick up and drop passengers" says Pavan P, a regular commuter.

In 2010, BMTC and South Western Railway (SWR) introduced free mini-bus services between KSR City railway station and the bus stand (Majestic) from 5 am to 10 pm. In 2014, SWR facilitated a separate bus bay at the City railway station for airport-bound buses. But both projects were later scrapped. Now, the commuters demand the third entry point opened recently at KSR City Railway Station to have adequate space for BMTC buses to park, pick up and drop passengers.