According to the proposal, if the three-month trial is successful, the buses will operate on a regular basis
According to the proposal, if the three-month trial is successful, the buses will operate on a regular basis
Don't be surprised to see double decker buses on city roads, starting this July. If the BMTC's plan becomes a reality, the two-tier buses will be operating on a trial basis for three months. The plan is to run the service on select 40 trunk feeder routes. 
Dil Maange more space: Double decker buses have been operating
in Mumbai since 1937. Representation Pic
The idea came after N Parameswaran , a senior citizen, moved court over adding trunk feeder services to help out senior citizens like him. He had filed an interlocutory application, proposing a two-tier system called the feeder routeu00a0-- u00a0trunk route system to be adapted by the BMTC. The High Court had passed the order after hearing a petition in December last year and BMTC formed a committee and suggested the formation of a panel to consider the feeder service.
If it's successful, the BMTC plans to continue the service, and increase the number of buses in the future. Currently, the plan is still on the drawing board and the management is still deciding on the type of buses that are suitable for those roads.
In accordance
These services are being planned in accordance with the directions of the High Court, which asked the state government to constitute an expert committee headed by the transport secretary, to look into the feasibility of introducing the system.
If new buses do not arrive on time, the BIG10 will still be running. This trunk feeder service will run on 21 routes with electronic ticketing machines by July 1.
The management will decide to continue from trial to formal if the initial run is successful. This will depend upon cost of buses, revenue earned, and the people's reaction. The rate of tickets and timing will be decided before July. "The performance of the service will be reviewed during the experiment and it will be withdrawn if it affects revenue and inconveniences commuters," said a BMTC source.
Hopes abound
The BMTC has approached a few companies to manufacture the buses, but nothing has been confirmed yet. The trunk feeder buses will be high-end, compared to the buses plying currently. Some companies have even approached the management with an offer to manufacture the buses.
B G Sampangirame Gouda, Divisional Traffic Manager said, "The trunk feeder service will start first on 21 routes first, and later extended to other routes. We are hoping it will be a successful exercise."
Trunk feeder service
Trunk roads are straight, broader in size and do not connect all the areas. Feeder routes are smaller and these connect areas to just the main roads. Now all areas, other areas and main roads will connect through this service.
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| Proposed Routes |
| * Panathuru to Ashwath Nagar |
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