Bengaluru: If BMTC's Metro feeder services continue to make losses, the existing services might be withdrawn, BMTC Managing Director Ponnuraj told Deccan Chronicle.
Both Mr Ponnuraj and former MD of BMTC Ekroop Caur had written to BMRCL asking for Rs 18.1 crore to run the additional feeder services, but have received no response.
“BMTC is expected to serve the Metro, but it may not be possible in all places. The services are running under loss with revenues coming down to just Rs 20 per kilometre. For stations like Trinity, which are in the interiors, even midi-sized buses cannot go into the narrow lanes," Mr Ponnuraj said.
He said that missing bus bays at stations is the least of their problems. “Our feeders carry a very small load and it is not feasible to sustain them. There is no chance of breaking even, even in the long term. Smaller vehicles like autos and taxis can serve better for last-mile commute," he said.
Terminal stations like Nayanadahalli and Byyappanahalli see good patronage for feeders as they solve the transportation issue for hinterland areas. “50-60% of the people who take the Metro from Byyappanhalli reach there by feeders,” he said.
The feeder service currently caters to only 50% of Phase-1. The state government too has not stepped in to support BMTC in maintaining and adding feeders to rest of the stations.
Eight Metro stations on the Purple Line and 12 on the Green Line are not served by feeders. An official document accessed by DC, titled "Statement showing profit/loss details of East West Corridor Metro Feeder routes," from October 2016 to March 2017, showed that BMTC spent Rs 13,129 per km, but earned only Rs 7,464 per km.
Former MD Ekroop Caur had a contradictory outlook. “The aim was to provide meaningful connectivity to different areas where traffic snarls are high. Initially, yes there would be hiccups in terms of losses but in the long run we would be able to breakeven."
