[sadhuji]

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is planning to buy the Marcopolo buses that are under manufacture in a Tata Motors plant in Lucknow. The BMTC is already running a fleet of Volvo buses and the proposed Marcopolos would be cheaper. Like the Volvos, the Marcopolos would be air-conditioned with low floor. The BMTC plans to phase out the ancient breed of nearly 1000 buses. The Volvo buses were initially introduced for travel to the Bangalore International Airport – these buses have, since, been introduced on more routes and, on Sundays and Holidays, the fares are drastically reduced to allow people to travel by these buses and get a feel of good times.

In Maharashtra, the public transport system that depends on buses has introduced the sleek Volvo in certain routes. In fact, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation always seems to tide over any crisis – the increase in fares happens automatically without as much as any murmur of protest whenever the cost of fuel goes up.

Unfortunately, in Kolkata, the road transport is in shambles with buses that should have been off the roads several decades back. The rickety vehicles pose more danger on the roads full of potholes. That is why the privately owned mini buses dictate terms and the Government has to oblige. These buses do not other about road or traffic rules and over speeding and racing on the crowded roads is a favorite pastime of the drivers. The results are accidents and loss of lives apart from burning of buses to show resentment, thereby reducing the number of vehicles available on the roads.

[jyotirmoy]

Plenty of these aircon and non-aircon low floor buses are plying in Delhi and these have become very popular. Every MLA is campaigning for more such buses in their localities.