The BMTC buses do not operate according to the schedule, the drivers do not stop at bus stops, and the conductors do not issue tickets.
While the state government is promoting public transportation in a big way, when someone does opt for it, they only end up having a bitter experience.
The BMTC buses do not operate according to the schedule, the drivers do not stop at bus stops, and the conductors do not issue tickets, and these are only few of the many problems that the passengers had to endure every day.
Sandhya Sharma, a final-ear MSc student of Mount Carmel College, takes the bus frequently. Many a time, the conductors refuse to give her tickets. “I once got thrown out of the bus because I asked the conductor for tickets. I was getting back to National Games Village from Forum in Koramangala,” she said.
Many like Sandhya suffer silently when they are insulted or humiliated by the conductors of the buses. “I travel from Banashankri to Corporation every day. Many a time, I see men sitting on ladies’ seats. When I complain to the conductors, they simply don’t care. When we ask for a ticket to the next stop, they take `4 instead of `9 and get away by pocketing the cash,” said Surabhi Rajamma, a software professional.
No badges
The conniving conductors do not wear their name badges too. So even when a passenger wants to file a complaint with the authorities, they are not able to do so.
“When there are old or illiterate people, conductors take less money from them and make it look like they are being nice to the commuters. When the vigilance officials stop the bus, they get caught. The officials don’t listen to their explanations and fine them,” said Rithwik Subramaniyan, a marketing executive of a private firm.
“I once boarded a Big 10 bus from Koramangala. Instead of issuing a `9 ticket, the conductor just took `5 and walked away without giving me one. When I asked him for the ticket, he just looked away and said it’s not necessary. When I demanded a ticket, he abused me in Kannada. I told him I would complain to the authorities. He asked me to go ahead. He was least bothered. Right under my nose, I saw at least four passengers who paid the money, but the conductor had not issued tickets to them. One of the passengers told me that, even if they demand a ticket, the conductors just ignore them and walk to the other side of the bus,” said Catherine, a writer. BMTC officials said that they are helpless too.
“We know that the conductors are pocketing money from innocent commuters and we are trying to plug the leakages. We have vigilance officers, who are on the move daily. We have more than 6,000 buses in the city and it is not easy to keep tab on this leakage,” said managing director of BMTC, KR Srinivas. He said that soon the GPRS devices will be installed in the buses.
“ The bus driver will not be able to stop anywhere he feels like. They will also not be able to open the doors at traffic lights where many get off or board buses as it is dangerous. We have also called for tenders for e-ticketing system which will print the date and time of the issue so that re-issuing of ticket is stopped,” he said.
Until e-ticketing comes into force, it looks like those taking the BMTC buses have to suffer in silence.
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