Earlier this week, Deccan Herald reported on Depot 18, the Whitefield division of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) opening a WhatsApp group for airport passengers to get real-time information on the KIAS (Kempegowda International Airport Service) 15 bus route details.
Now, Depot 18 manager S Sathish has informed DH that he has received numerous calls and requests to add people into their WhatsApp group. However, due to WhatsApp group limits, Sathish and team have opened a Telegram group, which offers the convenience of adding unlimited members to a group.
As of now, the Telegram group is for Route KIAS 15 only. Once the bus begins its journey at the starting point, the TTMC (Traffic Transit Management Centre) near Vydehi hospital, the Depot 18 official adds the conductor's phone number to the group in addition to route information, which includes the bus stops. The commuter can also directly call the bus conductor to get details on where the bus is, the location of the bus shelter and other crucial information.
For those unaware, KIAS 15 passes through Whitefield TTMC, Sathya Sai Hospital, ITPL, Hope Farm (towards Hoskote), Kadugodi Bridge, Bellathur, Seegehalli Gate, Khaji Sonnenahalli Gate, Budigere Cross, Grandwell, Mandur, Thirumenahalli Gate, Budigere, Manchappanahalli Gate, Singahalli, Hunasuru, Kadayarappanahalli, Chikkanahalli, Beguru and Kempegowda International Airport.
Interested commuters can contact S Sathish (phone number: 77609-91418) to get added to the Telegram group for airport bus information.
It's imperative for the BMTC or depot managers in other regions to offer similar services to help commuters. This will certainly encourage people to shun private vehicles and opt for public transportation, which will greatly reduce congestion on the roads.
In a related development, the airport operator and the Railways have chalked out a plan to introduce a suburban rail link to the KIA, which will help people from Yeshwantpur to reach the airport in 25 minutes.
If things go as planned, the airport rail-link and train station at KIA campus will be ready in nine months.
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