Yet another 'Bus Day' has gone by and apart from a handful of commuters at the BMTC bus stops, not many were even aware of it.
The 'Bus Day' was started by the BMTC two years ago to encourage people to use public transport. It is observed on the fourth of every month and the BMTC usually comes out with facilities like increasing the schedules to wean the commuters away from using their own mode of transportation.
Metrolife asked Bangaloreans whether such a day has made a difference to them. 'What is 'Bus Day'?' asked most commuters. One would think that with petrol prices and auto fares rising in the City, a day like this would encourage people to use buses. But unfortunately, only a small section feels that it has made a difference.
Tia, a student of Christ University, commutes to her college by bus. She says that a lot of effort goes into it. "Not only do you have to wait for a long time but you also have to bear the crowd and the claustrophobic feeling in the bus during rush hour," she says.
She adds, "Many of my friends get discouraged by this and prefer to use their own mode of transportation."
Paromita, a professional, says that when the 'Bus Day' was first started two years ago there was a lot of encouragement. "I feel it's a good cause. Initially, many of us started travelling by buses on 'Bus Day', but then as the hype fizzled out, so did the number of people taking the bus.
When we travel abroad, we see how people there are satisfied with their public transport system. It's sad that the case is not the same here," she adds.
Sheetal, who regularly goes by the BIG 10 buses, feels that travelling by bus has helped her save a lot. But she feels 'Bus Day' hasn't made any difference to her life.
"I remember how once Home and Transport Minister R Ashok made use of the BMTC bus to commute and set an example. I don't think such tactics work as it is obvious that these ministers and MLAs are never going to use theses buses," she says. Agrees Krishnan, a student of St Joseph's College of Commerce.
"I personally feel that there is no point having a 'Bus Day'. Instead, if all the two wheelers and four wheelers are kept off the roads on 'Bus Day', it will make a difference," he sums up.
The 'Bus Day' was started by the BMTC two years ago to encourage people to use public transport. It is observed on the fourth of every month and the BMTC usually comes out with facilities like increasing the schedules to wean the commuters away from using their own mode of transportation.
Metrolife asked Bangaloreans whether such a day has made a difference to them. 'What is 'Bus Day'?' asked most commuters. One would think that with petrol prices and auto fares rising in the City, a day like this would encourage people to use buses. But unfortunately, only a small section feels that it has made a difference.
Tia, a student of Christ University, commutes to her college by bus. She says that a lot of effort goes into it. "Not only do you have to wait for a long time but you also have to bear the crowd and the claustrophobic feeling in the bus during rush hour," she says.
She adds, "Many of my friends get discouraged by this and prefer to use their own mode of transportation."
Paromita, a professional, says that when the 'Bus Day' was first started two years ago there was a lot of encouragement. "I feel it's a good cause. Initially, many of us started travelling by buses on 'Bus Day', but then as the hype fizzled out, so did the number of people taking the bus.
When we travel abroad, we see how people there are satisfied with their public transport system. It's sad that the case is not the same here," she adds.
Sheetal, who regularly goes by the BIG 10 buses, feels that travelling by bus has helped her save a lot. But she feels 'Bus Day' hasn't made any difference to her life.
"I remember how once Home and Transport Minister R Ashok made use of the BMTC bus to commute and set an example. I don't think such tactics work as it is obvious that these ministers and MLAs are never going to use theses buses," she says. Agrees Krishnan, a student of St Joseph's College of Commerce.
"I personally feel that there is no point having a 'Bus Day'. Instead, if all the two wheelers and four wheelers are kept off the roads on 'Bus Day', it will make a difference," he sums up.