BMTC to fit ignition key switch, GPS in old buses

In a bid to improve vehicle security and prevent its buses from being stolen, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is to fit ignition key switches in all its old buses, which number around 3,500. According to a top BMTC official, the corporation is also taking steps to bring all its vehicles under the Global Positioning System (GPS) soon to improve passenger service.

The public sector bus operator is expected to float a tender soon to invite bids from auto component makers to fit ignition key buttons in its fleet. 

BMTC’s move comes in the wake of one of its buses getting stolen from the Bangalore central bus-stand on June 15. The stolen bus was found 300km away in Andhra Pradesh after 24 hours. And, on March 28, another bus had been spirited away in a similar manner.

The older buses do not require an ignition key for starting and thus are easy prey for miscreants, a BMTC official said. Currently BMTC operates 6,808 buses, of which 55-60 percent vehicles are without key ignition buttons. Following the new directive, all old buses will be fitted with ignition buttons which will require a key to be inserted inside for them to start.
In addition, as part of an Intelligent Transport System programme, the entire BMTC fleet was supposed to have GPS to track their movement to improve passenger service through online information on arrival and departure. However, the project is moving at a snail's pace. So far, only 200 buses are fitted with GPS. A senior official said that by October-end, work on installing GPS in buses will be completed. 

BMTC operates 6,808 buses under 6,269 schedules, covering 12.62 lakh kilometres a day while recording Rs 5.20 crore in revenue and catering to 4.95 million passengers.