BMTC, BMRCL websites mislead passengers on combo passes
Passengers are demanding reintroduction of the passes as more reaches under Phase I Metro project get operational
Combo passes introduced by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL ) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC ), enabling passengers to travel in both metro and city buses were withdrawn almost three years back. However, both organisations claim on their websites that the daily passes are still being issued and passengers can purchase them.
The BMTC website states that the passes are available for Rs 110 and after purchasing the day pass, passengers can travel for 24 hours through both modes of transport, except in the air-conditioned buses operating to Kempe Gowda International Airport and Bangalore Rounds.
On the other hand, the BMRCL website states that two types of day passes are available — the MBT Saral and MBT Saraag to — allow commuting on both modes of transport. However, only upon enquiry do passengers find that such passes have been stalled permanently.
Passengers are demanding reintroduction of the passes as more reaches under Phase I Metro project get operational. Pradeep M, a commuter, said, “Every day I travel in both the metro and city buses. I learnt of the combo passes from the BMRCL website. But upon enquiry, conductors said they were unaware of such passes. After further enquiry, I learnt that the information might have appeared by mistake.”
It may be recalled that after the metro was launched on Reach 1 between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli, both BMRCL and BMTC reached an agreement on launching combo passes. BMTC had two lakh combo passes printed out. However, there was hardly any demand for the passes and soon, both organisations decided to withdraw the passes.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, MD of BMTC, Ekroop Caur said, “I am not aware of such posts on the website. There is no proposal before us to re-launch such passes. However, we are contemplating launching of common mobility smart card for the passengers of both city buses and metro by the end of December.”
Combo passes introduced by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (
The BMTC website states that the passes are available for Rs 110 and after purchasing the day pass, passengers can travel for 24 hours through both modes of transport, except in the air-conditioned buses operating to Kempe Gowda International Airport and Bangalore Rounds.
On the other hand, the BMRCL website states that two types of day passes are available — the MBT Saral and MBT Saraag to — allow commuting on both modes of transport. However, only upon enquiry do passengers find that such passes have been stalled permanently.
Passengers are demanding reintroduction of the passes as more reaches under Phase I Metro project get operational. Pradeep M, a commuter, said, “Every day I travel in both the metro and city buses. I learnt of the combo passes from the BMRCL website. But upon enquiry, conductors said they were unaware of such passes. After further enquiry, I learnt that the information might have appeared by mistake.”
Abhilash K, another commuter, said, “Once the metro Majestic station gets operational, more people will use the metro and get down at Majestic to travel to reach other stations by bus. Both BMRCL and BMTC should introduce daily or monthly passes which are both economical and applicable for both modes of transport. “
It may be recalled that after the metro was launched on Reach 1 between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli, both BMRCL and BMTC reached an agreement on launching combo passes. BMTC had two lakh combo passes printed out. However, there was hardly any demand for the passes and soon, both organisations decided to withdraw the passes.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, MD of BMTC, Ekroop Caur said, “I am not aware of such posts on the website. There is no proposal before us to re-launch such passes. However, we are contemplating launching of common mobility smart card for the passengers of both city buses and metro by the end of December.”
