Karnataka buses go hi-tech for tier II towns

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flagged off 300 high tech buses for public use on Thursday. The buses have been armed with CCTV cameras, GPRS, panic buttons for drivers and buzzer-stop buttons for each passenger, among other cool features.

With the addition of high tech buses, KSRTC will operate in 13 small and medium towns catering to a population of over one lakh. The remaining 25 tier II cities will be connected with another 300 such buses, presently.

Siddaramaiah said that the government has plans to add a total of 637 buses for tier II Cities. “The project was taken under 'Jnnurm' in which the state government also pumped 50% of the total cost. The Karnataka Transport department is leading in India with the implementation of such innovative and passenger-friendly projects,” he said.

Siddaramaiah further stated that the Congress government has taken measures to increase the salary of transport department workers by 12. 5%.  “Earlier it was only 10% increase and that was done several years ago,” he said.

“Henceforth, we will increase hikes every four years. I understand that increasing salaries by 1% will cost the state exchequer ₹150 crore. Hence the workers should ensure quality service to passengers,” the CM said.

Siddaramaiah made a special mention to rural areas and said that by end of this year 2,499 buses will be added. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, thanking the CM for giving grants of ₹400 crore in the last three years said this year another ₹187 crore was announced as grant.

“The department will use ₹60 crore for the model bus terminal at Kalisapalaya in Bengaluru. A four-storyed building will be built.”