BMTC looks to group bookings for HOHO turnaround

 In an effort to give a fillip to its recently started Hop-On Hop-Off buses, the BMTC is now planning to use them to ferry tourists staying in groups in hotels and students from various educational institutions going on excursions.

These are some of the innovative methods which BMTC has come out with to ensure that the service picks up well.

BMTC had started this Bangalore sight-seeing bus service in May 2014 to help tourists see important places in the City.

The buses are manned by well-trained guides and offers 21 places in the itinerary. Now, to attract more tourists during weekdays as well, BMTC has come out with new strategies.

Kumar Pushkar, Director (IT), BMTC, told Deccan Herald that the bus service was finding it difficult to pick up.

“One of the reasons was because it was started during the end of the tourist season (April- May) because of elections. Now, the service is doing well only during weekends. Therefore, new schemes are being introduced to popularise the services, he added.

“Talks are on with star hotels in the City to promote the bus services to their guests. We are offering them 10 percent discount per passenger in case of bulk bookings (anything above 10 seats). We are also in talks with educational institutions across the City to use these AC Volvo buses for excursions, field trips and City tours. Apart from bulk booking discount, we are also offering them student concession,” he said.

Tie-up talks

Talks are also on to tie-up with tourism department and people managing tourist destinations in the City so that those using these buses to visit prime destinations be given some privileges like priority in booking tickets and timely seats.
They are also promoting the service as a joyride as people can board the bus from any destination and six bus stands, get down at any destination and use the same ticket to travel in any other bus.