BMTC rolls out longest AC route, linking Bengaluru to Tumakuru

Bengaluru: At a time when home minister G Parameshwara is advocating renaming of Tumakuru as ‘Bengaluru North District’ due to its proximity to Bengaluru, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has already included Tumakuru within the scope of its operations.

After expanding city bus services to suburban regions such as Kanakapura, Ramanagara and Channapatna, BMTC has introduced Vajra Vistara AC bus services to Tumakuru, situated about 70km from the city. With this addition, the Tumakuru route has become the longest route operated by the corporation.

A BMTC official said that Vajra Vistara services have been introduced to Tumakuru based on public demand. Initially, 10 AC (Volvo) buses will ply on the route number V EX TMK – 1 and the fare has been fixed at Rs 120. Every day, these buses will make 54 trips on the route, with a frequency of 20 minutes. On Tuesday, chief minister Siddaramaiah flagged off the new service at Tumakuru in the presence of his other cabinet colleagues, including Parameshwara.

The Bengaluru-Tumakuru route buses will halt at Navarang, Govardhana Theater, Goraguntepalya, Jalahalli Cross, T Dasarahalli, 8th Mile, Widia Stop, and Kyathasandra.

“At present, KSRTC is operating inter-district services connecting Tumakuru and Bengaluru. We had conveyed to KSRTC that there are demands from the public for AC bus services. KSRTC conveyed to BMTC that we can extend Vajra Vistara AC services to Tumakuru. These services will not compete with existing non-AC services of the KSRTC as we have limited stops and the majority of the stops fall within Bengaluru limits,” the BMTC official said.