Bangaloreans can now track their bus online

How about an SMS that tells you all you want to know about your bus? A phone call that can book you a seat of your choice? Or a web page where you can track the bus? Yes, BMTC buses are all geared up to go the tech way.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), known for being one of the most urbane transport systems in the country, is ready for another feat. The Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA) and a software solutions provider, RCN Tech, together with BMTC, will roll out software making BMTC more commuter-friendly.

This comes on a day when BMTC’s flagship initiative — Bus Day campaign — finishes its 12 rounds, starting February 4, 2010.
BMTC started a common bus system for the employees of Manyata Tech Park on Outer Ring Road near Hebbal on Monday.

However, the common bus system slated to be launched in the second week of January, is more commuter-friendly. RCN Tech, a solutions-providing company, has designed a software whereby you can have a dedicated seat, track your bus and even have information sent to your mobile phone via text messages.

“It is my brainchild and I was hugely supported by the members of ORRCA, RCN and BMTC to launch such a complicated, yet useful system in place for optimisation of public transport,” said Seetharam Vishwanath, general secretary of ORRCA.

Vishwanath had been working closely on this project for a year and now that the system is ready for use, the manpower to be part of it, is being trained.

Here’s how it works. “There is a webpage where you can register and log in with your name, company location and the pick and drop points and get the route fixed for a month. You can key in the bus-route number or the source and destination and get information of your bus along with the exact time it will reach you. And it will have a dedicated seat for you,” said Manoj, founder of RCN Tech.

There will be a help desk based in Jayanagar in Yediyur area and also a 24/7 call centre where one can call and book a seat and find out the timings of their bus at any point and also the schedule for the next bus on a particular route, if they miss one.

“At present, some ORRCA members along with RCN and me are training the staff in handling different queries,” said Vishwanath. He also added that the SMS facility will follow in the coming months which would enable people to track their bus themselves.

The BMTC currently operates 840 bus schedules on the Outer Ring Road and the schedules will remain the same, said a sources in BMTC. “It will encourage employees of these hubs to take public transport and avail the same comfort and security without being charged exorbitantly. They can track their BMTC bus themselves, through the internet or with the help desk and take buses according to their convenience,” said Vishwanath. The system will ensure details of Volvo buses more than the other types as the techies prefer clean, air-conditioned and safe travel.

The cost for this facility to a user will be Rs1,950 a month. ORRCA also guaranteed BMTC an additional 70% ridership.

BMTC, which has already started the common bus system for Manyata Tech Park, will see buses plying on 22 identified routes across the city ferrying employees working in the companies in this hub being picked up and dropped by a BMTC like the services to Infosys, Wipro and a few other IT giants in city. The Volvo buses plying from Central Silk Board Junction to Marathahalli will also be covered under this.