Bengaluru's BMTC to launch 'express bus service’ on long routes

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation is planning to introduce non-AC “express buses” with fewer stops to reduce travel time on long routes.

Sources said BMTC is likely to launch ‘Vega Dootha’ express services on five routes starting June 21: Ex-KBS-3A (KBS–Attibele), Ex-600F (Banashankari–Attibele), Ex-298M (KBS–Devanahalli), Ex-213V (Banashankari–Harohalli), and Ex-258C (KBS–Nelamangala). The service will have higher fares than ordinary non-AC buses. However, women eligible under the Shakti scheme can travel free on these buses.

“We are charting out more routes to launch limited stop express bus services. For instance, we now run buses to and from Chikkaballapur, but high number of stops increases travel time. The new express buses will have limited stops and will make use of flyovers wherever possible,” A senior BMTC official told Moneycontrol.

Similar demand has emerged from areas such as Attibele, Harohalli, Devanahalli, and Nelamangala. “We are also analysing stage-wise ridership of these routes. Wherever ridership is low, those stops will be skipped in the express service,” he said.