The BMTC has reduced medium and long-distance fares and prices for air-conditioned services (Vajra) bus passes in the city in an attempt to attract more passengers. However, the discount does not apply to airport buses.

The first three stages of Vajra’s services, up to 6 km, will remain the same. Passengers traveling to stage 4 (8 km) and beyond will see a reduction ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 40 depending on the distance traveled.

The price of the Vajra daily pass has been reduced from Rs 120 to Rs 100, while the price of the monthly pass has fallen the most, from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,500.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has struggled to restart AC bus operations for more than a year as the pandemic swept away regular passengers on high-end buses, mainly employees working in IT hall companies.

New services

In the past two months, authorities have resumed 83 services, some of the more than 650 daily services that were in operation before the pandemic.

Officials said 90 more AC bus services will be introduced on 12 routes from Friday, bringing the total number of services to 173.

The Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike welcomed the lower prices and noted that authorities should also take a similar approach for regular buses.

“It is certainly a good decision. Since many companies continue to work from home, we do not know how many people will benefit from the lower prices. However, we urge the authorities to address the suffering of the ordinary man, “Shaheen Shasa of Vedike said DH.

She noted that New Delhi, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have made city bus services free for women.

“If they can do it, why can’t Karnataka adopt the same and extend it beyond women, to economically weaker sections. The government needs to address this issue to address public concerns? “she said.

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