In an exception for its image of 'deadline missing project', the 'Chigari' buses of the BRTS project have started operating till midnight from Monday, as announced by the Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System Company Limited (HDBRTSCL) officials.
As a respite for passengers who move between Hubballi and Dharwad in late night hours, the timing of BRTS bus operations has now been extended from 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight. Earlier, the service was till 10:00 pm only.
However, the duty of the ticket issuing staff at the BRTS stations ends at 10:00 pm itself, but the bus stations would be open for passengers, and they have to get the ticket from the conductor in the bus itself from 10:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.
After 10:00 pm, automated entry and exit gates at BRTS bus stations are kept open till the last bus passes. Security guards are on duty at BRTS bus stations round the clock, in three shifts. As CCTV cameras have been installed, and back-up for electricity supply has also been provided, the HD-BRTS officials say that the bus stations are safe even for women in the night hours.
Frequency
"From 10:00 pm to 12:00 midnight, the frequency of BRTS buses is one bus every 15 minutes on an average, while the frequency is five to six minutes from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The frequency is around three minutes from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon, and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, which are considered as peak hours," said HD-BRTS deputy general manager (operations) Ganesh Rathod.
At present, the BRTS buses are running with over 450 round trips. More than 60,000 passengers are already travelling in 'Chigari' buses per day. For the first time, the revenue per day of the BRTS has crossed Rs seven lakh, with Rs 7.2 lakh collection on the first day of the extended timing of the bus operations on Monday, the officials noted.
Rathod said, the number of BRTS bus drivers would be increased from existing 150 to 200 soon, after they get the certificate from the Volvo, while two shifts are already working now. The number of staff at the bus stations would also be increased from the existing 150 to 180, so that it would be easy to properly guide the passengers, he said.
"Based on the need and response, we are ready for further expansion of timings of bus operations, and increase in the bus frequency. Now, the last BRTS bus of the day reaches its destination before 12:40 am," he added.
By the way, the BRTS is still in its trial run since last four months, and its operations are getting expanded with all 100 available buses (five buses reserved), before the formal launch of the project. Some works are still pending, and the BRTS officials have decided to purchase 100 more buses.