Net gain for commuters on Bangalore buses

Travelling by bus will be an entirely new experience for Bangaloreans. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation ( BMTC) will provide Internet access to commuters boarding the swanky Volvo buses operated by the department. And what more, the service will come for free.

Commuters will be able to access their e- mails, surf the net and even enjoy live video streaming. Free Internet service is already available on some of the Volvo buses operating between the city and the new Bangalore International Airport. In the next few days, more number of Volvo buses will start offering Internet service to commuters, particularly techies, travelling to Electronics City, Whitefield, C. V. Raman Nagar and Hebbal.

“ Over the next one month, more than 220 Volvo buses will offer Internet service to commuters. Bangalore being the technology hub of the nation, we wanted to take the lead in offering Internet services to commuters. No other government- owned state transport undertaking in south Asia is offering this service,” Karnataka’s transport minister R. Ashoka said.

The idea of free Internet service was floated by Ashoka who had experienced it abroad. “ In the US, private tour operators offer Internet service to travellers of luxury coaches. Some of them levy a fee. But we have decided against levying such a fee. We want more people to travel by buses to reduce traffic congestion in Bangalore. This is just one of the peoplefriendly services being offered to commuters,” he said.

A touch-screen connected to headphones is installed on the back of every seat. Commuters can access the Internet straightway without disclosing any personal details. “ It is a secure connection, which cannot be misused. Commuters can chat and even access social networking sites. It is an up- to- date information- communication- entertainment (ICE) application,” Ashoka informed.