With a clear focus on complementing Namma Metro, the BMTC is diligently introducing numerous feeder services. Undoubtedly beneficial, these services have the potential to enhance connectivity and convenience for commuters. However, sustaining them presents a significant challenge for the cash-strapped corporation.
Despite facing financial losses, the BMTC remains undeterred and recently introduced 89 new feeder buses on 12 routes, coinciding with the opening of Namma Metro’s South Line from Sampige Road to Yelachenahalli.
Source: Times Now
This addition comes to the existing 83 feeder buses that operate from various Metro stations along the extensive 42.3-km Namma Metro network, which encompasses 43 stations in total. While the majority of stations are served by BMTC’s feeder services, some stations, such as Trinity, Ulsoor, Dasarahalli, Vidhana Soudha, and Cubbon Park, do not have such services in place, as they are well-served by existing robust bus services.
Source: Deccan Herald
The critical issue at hand is that the feeder services are incurring a significant net loss of ₹15 per kilometer. A BMTC official has confirmed that apart from the feeder services operating between Mantri Square and Majestic, all other services are struggling to cover their expenses. The 83 buses, which cater to destinations like Whitefield, KR Puram, Silk Board, ITPL, RR Nagar (BEML fifth stage), Koramangala water tank, Mahadevapura, and Hoodi, collectively conduct 1,168 trips daily. However, the financial challenges persist as most of these routes fail to generate sufficient revenue to sustain their operations effectively.
BMTC to operate feeder buses from Kadugodi, ITPB Metro stations etc
Borewell Road, Varthur Kodi, Ramagondanahalli, Siddhapura, Thubarhalli, BEML Layout, AECS Layout have been left out: @bpravir pic.twitter.com/Wrpz7989G0
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) July 31, 2023
According to Vinay Sreenivasa, a member of the Bengaluru Bus Commuters’ Forum, the responsibility of funding the feeder services should lie with Namma Metro. He pointed out that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is investing a substantial amount of ₹14,000 crore for Phase I and ₹26,000 crore for Phase II. In light of this, Vinay suggests that BMRCL should allocate at least 1% of the total project cost to BMTC to ensure the smooth operation of feeder services.
Source: Citizen Matters, Bengaluru
The BMTC has strategically positioned 53 buses on the Southern Metro line to provide efficient feeder services for various metro stations, including Jayanagar, South End, Lalbagh, Banashankari, JP Nagar, Yalechenahalli, National College, and RV Road. In North Bengaluru, out of the 14 Metro stations, BMTC’s feeder services cover four key stations: Nagasandra, Jalahalli, Peenya, and Goraguntepalya. This thoughtful deployment of feeder buses enhances connectivity and accessibility for commuters, facilitating seamless travel between metro stations and their surrounding areas in both regions.
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