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On this Bus Day today, take a trip through the stages of the coming together of a day to celebrate your favourite form of public transport and hop on to one while you are at it
With burgeoning demographics and endless traffic jams that perhaps form more food for conversation than the latest flick that has hit theatres the city has indeed touched vehicular crisis. Despite knowing many solutions that might result in tackling or controlling the collective problems of traffic and pollution, there is little we as citizens act on. The initial idea of a Bus Day germinated during a meeting between the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Praja, a youth organisation with an online presence.
The Beginning
The tradition of BMTC's Bus Day that is held on the 4th of every month has continued since early this year with postponement to the next working day when a holiday is involved. This is a day where BMTC urges the citizens of Bangalore to leave their private vehicles behind and opt for public transport on one day of the month.
With its birthday on February 4 this year, the campaign was flagged off in two popular IT sectors, ITPL and Electronic City so as to encourage IT employees in town to take to public transport and set an example.
Bus Day initiatives
Amongst the other initiatives of creating awareness of this day dedicated to public transport including a tie-up with MiD DAY, Bus Day also records operation changes that aid the commuters' convenience. Frequency of buses is increased on selected IT routes to accommodate demands in travel timings. Feeder Loops at the frequency of every five minutes are provided at ITPL and Electronic City to aid last mile connectivity.
BMTC employees and volunteers are stationed at important junctions and origin points of the selected IT routes. A hundred additional buses and as many as 90 BMTC employees are seen in action on the city roads to aid the successful functioning of the Bus Day.
Set an example
In a first time effort, R Ashoka, Transport Minister was witnessed travelling on different existing bus routes on Bus Day to increase public awareness. To emphasize the accessibility of public transport to the differently abled, he was on one such occasion spotted travelling with a set of visually impaired school children to Bannerghatta National Park.
SK Nataraj, Mayor and the Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University also took the bus on a Bus Day to spread the initiative far and wide. City NGOs and BMTC employees have also added to popularising the concept of Bus Day by taking the bus.
Take the bus
Besides addressing environmental and civic concerns taking your favourite form of public transport can result in an intercultural experience of sorts. Also aimed at renewing the public's faith in public transport here's your chance to do your bit at protecting the environment and enjoying an unusual trip. So leave your vehicles behind and Take the Bus, Boss!
"Do you plan to use the bus today? (7th of Dec) Reply to this SMS with vote BMTC Yes / No & send it to 92430 00111."
Don't know where to start, which bus to hop onto? The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Vajra helplines should make your ride easier.
BMTC Call Center Number 12667, 22029935
Toll Free Number 1800 425 1663
City Market Bus Stand 2295 2331
Control Room 2295 2422
Shivaji Nagar Bus Stand 2295 2321
Subash Nagar Bus Stand 2295 2311
Enquiry for all Volvo rates 2295 5400/01
Info:https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2010/dec/071210-bangalore-features-bus-yatra-bmtc-sms.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mdlifestyle%2Ffeatures+%28Mid+Day+Lifestyle+-+Features%29&utm_content=Twitter
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