Buses that have run over 9 lakh km will be replaced: Transport Minister

Transport Minister H.M. Revanna has said those buses that have crossed 9 lakh km in the public transport corporations will be replaced with new buses. To begin with, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will be provided with 3,000 new buses, the Minister told presspersons here on Monday. Among the 3,000 buses required, the Minister said 1,500 will be purchased. For the remaining buses, the department was contemplating involving private players in the public transport in Bengaluru. “In cities like Bhopal and New Delhi private players have been involved. We are discussing how to involve the private players. One of the ways could be to hire buses from private people and let them run by our staff. We will decide looking into the pros and cons,” he said. Further, he said the department was planning to introduce electric buses in Bengaluru and other cities. “Electric buses will reduce the cost, besides being environment-friendly,” he added. Reacting to a question on the former Minister and BJP leader V. Srinivas Prasad’s recent statement that he will work to defeat Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Chamundeshwari constituency, Mr. Revanna said, “He is a leader of the Opposition party and what else can we expect from him. We should not forget the fact that it is the people who will decide the winner. If Mr. Prasad could defeat somebody, he could have done so in his own election.” Later, Mr. Revanna participated in a Congress meeting organised by the party’s district unit in Hassan.