Student pass holders have reason to cheer as the travel limit per day on BMTC buses has been extended from 50 to 60 km with no fare revision. Minister for Home and Transport R Ashok also announced a hike of Rs 1,000 per month for trainee employees of state corporations on the occasion of Labour Day. Student passes are smart card based and issued annually. Student pass holders were allowed to travel on BMTC buses for 50 kilometers a day which has been now extended by 10 kilometers.All categories of pass holders can enjoy this additional benefit.
Speaking at the launch of new buses, minister Ashok said, “Students need not pay a penny extra while traveling for ten kilometers beyond 50 kilometers. We would also like to hike the salaries of trainee employees by Rs 12,000 per annum.” Apart from announcing benefits for students and employees, various projects are in the pipeline for improvement of the city too, especially some environment friendly transport projects which will help bring down traffic congestion and pollution levels.
MP Ananth Kumar said that Bengaluru is the only city which lacks a train network within the city. “All metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Kolkotta, Delhi, have a good rail network within the city.We can utilize the existing rail network in the city to run local trains. The cost can be shared between state and the Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprise ”. It is said that state is discussing with the Gas Authority of India Ltd to extend the Dabhol to Bidadi gas line to Bengaluru. On the lines of Delhi, state plans to have CNG run public transport vehicles for the city too.