Bengaluru: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), lifeline for city commute and restricted to 25km range from city limits, Wednesday pushed boundaries and launched air-conditioned services to satellite towns Ramanagara and Kanakapura under the brand name ‘Vajra Vistara’. The name reflects the corporation’s expanding jurisdiction.With this, BMTC will operate its fleet up to 40km now, beyond Greater Bengaluru Area. The new services may cover Malur, Solur and Chikkaballapur, among others.
Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off the new services at Ramanagara bus stand. A total of 14 AC buses were deployed on the two routes. Officials said the newly introduced services were designed as express trips with limited stops to ensure faster travel.The Majestic–Ramanagara route will have six stops, with a fare of Rs 95. Five of the six stops are between Majestic and NICE Road Junction. “Once the bus enters the Bengaluru–Mysuru access-controlled highway, it won’t halt for nearly 35km until it reaches Ramanagara,” an official said.To avoid direct competition with Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, which runs hundreds of non-AC services between Bengaluru and Ramanagara and to onward destinations like Mysuru, BMTC has positioned its services in the premium AC segment.“KSRTC operates several non-AC buses on this corridor. Introducing more non-AC services from BMTC would not make sense. We see demand for comfortable AC travel,” a BMTC official said.BMTC is banking on strong patronage for the Banashankari TTMC–Kanakapura route. The fare for a 50km journey is Rs 90. The service will have seven stops, including Kaggalipura, Harohalli, Dayananda Sagar College and Jain University Gate.Officials noted that hundreds commute daily between Kanakapura and Bengaluru for work. Unlike other satellite towns, Kanakapura lacks a rail link. Hence, the service is expected to benefit commuters using Namma Metro, with stops at Banashankari, Konanakunte Cross, Talaghattapura and Silk Institute Metro stations.A BMTC official said they would conduct joint surveys with KSRTC before introducing new routes and may deploy AC electric buses in the future.GFX Route name V-EX RMN –1 Majestic to Ramangara Ticket fare – Rs 95 Bus stops MRBS Nayandahalli Rajarajeshwarinagar Gate Kengeri NICE Road Junction Ramangara +++++Route No – V- EX-KNP Banashankari to Kanakapura Ticket fare Rs 90 Stops Konankunte Cross Thalaghattapura Silk Institute Metro station Kaggallipura Harohalli Dayananda Sagar College Jain University City Gate Kanakapura
