The Deccan Herald 27.10.2010
Mysore to have transport corporation a la BMTC
Mysore will soon have a corporation of its own to oversee transport services in the heritage city, on the lines of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation in the State capital.
Also, cities like Tumkur, Mangalore, Gulbarga and Mandya will have an added fleet of local transport buses to give private players in the area a run for their money, Transport Minister R Ashoka told reporters on Tuesday.
According to the minister, 25 buses each in Tumkur and Gulbarga, 30 buses in Mangalore and 50 buses in Mandya will commence local operation shortly. The department was in the process of procuring buses for this purpose, he added.
“Private bus operators have monopolised the service, especially in Mangalore. People have very limited choice in the absence of the government service. By launching the government service, we want to create a healthy competition to benefit commuters,” Ashoka said.
Denying that private transport service in Mangalore was ‘fairly-efficient’, Ashoka said, “They are charging exorbitant money for their poor service. The department is planning to give the people the best of transport services. We also want to introduce Volvo buses there.” The government’s aim was to provide dedicated local transport services to all big towns in in a phased manner, he added.
As regards the transport corporation for Mysore, Ashoka said the proposed Mysore City Transport Corporation (MCTC) will provide public transportation services to places in and around Mysore.
Presently, 300 buses are plying in Mysore city locally. To this, an additional 150 buses will be introduced shortly. An old bus stand on the outskirts of Mysore would be developed at Rs 90 crore under the JnNURM, the minister said.
