I have been using public transport quite regularly for few years now. After the introduction of Volvo AC buses, i am using public transport more frequently. Air Conditioned Volvo buses are particularly convenient for long hours travel in bad traffic of Bangalore. Of late, thanks to good service from BMTC , i am able to cut down my car travel quite significantly.
I don't know about the profitability of BMTC, but the Vayu Vajra bus service to Bangalore international airport is really good and convenient.
But i have been observing something strange in the HR policy of BMTC. BMTC must be commended for recruiting more female personnel. Over the last few years, BMTC has also recruited many female employees for the Bus conductor's post.
Surprisingly, i don't find many female conductors in the Volvo as well as the airport vayu vajra buses. I have used both the regular intracity AC Volvo buses as well as the Vayu vajra airport service at all times of the day and i have hardly found female conductors there. But i have found many female conductors in regular buses in the city. I don't understand this.
The intracity Volvo buses are many times quite empty and the conductor's job is pretty easy. Particularly The Vayu Vajra airport buses are almost always empty (at least when i have used them) . In my opinion conductor is not required in the airport buses. (I once travelled from Airport to J.P.Nagar with only 3 co-passengers for the entire journey. The conductor was totally jobless).
On the other hand i find these female conductors struggling in regular buses. Conductor's job for a female is not easy. They are sometimes crowded and the conductor's job is very difficult particularly in summer. BMTC must put female conductors only in volvo buses. Or at least, first preference must be given to females for conductor's job in Volvo buses. BMTC will do well to take a look at this.
On the other hand i don't quite understand the logic behind conductors in the Airport service Vayu Vajra buses. They are simply not required. When contacted, a BMTC official told me that conductors are helpful in helping the passengers manage their luggage. My experience has been that people with more luggage will normally don't take the bus from or to airport. Even if they do, they will be young and can manage their luggage. Every time i have taken the Volvo to the airport, i have never seen the conductor helping the passenger with the luggage. I have observed a couple of times the BMTC person (not the conductor) helping the passengers to manage their luggage. All in all, for the conductor in the vayu vajra bus, it is just a ride to and fro from the airport a couple of times a day. BMTC is already operating the Vayu Vajra service under loss. They must take a serious look at downsizing the conductors in the airport service. The driver can do the job of issuing tickets.
Strangely, Many buses running intracity in peak hours do not have a conductor. The driver will perform the duties of the conductor as well. Not only does it add to the stress of the driver in peak hour traffic, but also cause traffic congestion since in Bangalore , we do not have a dedicated lane for buses and more time the driver spends in issuing tickets, more traffic will pile up behind him.
In my opinion, this is irrational or stupid. Why do you need conductors in Airport service AC volvo buses with limited stops and few passengers? On the other hand you don't have conductors in regular buses moving in peak hour Bangalore traffic with many stops.
BMTC, please be more rational.
I don't know about the profitability of BMTC, but the Vayu Vajra bus service to Bangalore international airport is really good and convenient.
But i have been observing something strange in the HR policy of BMTC. BMTC must be commended for recruiting more female personnel. Over the last few years, BMTC has also recruited many female employees for the Bus conductor's post.
Surprisingly, i don't find many female conductors in the Volvo as well as the airport vayu vajra buses. I have used both the regular intracity AC Volvo buses as well as the Vayu vajra airport service at all times of the day and i have hardly found female conductors there. But i have found many female conductors in regular buses in the city. I don't understand this.
The intracity Volvo buses are many times quite empty and the conductor's job is pretty easy. Particularly The Vayu Vajra airport buses are almost always empty (at least when i have used them) . In my opinion conductor is not required in the airport buses. (I once travelled from Airport to J.P.Nagar with only 3 co-passengers for the entire journey. The conductor was totally jobless).
On the other hand i find these female conductors struggling in regular buses. Conductor's job for a female is not easy. They are sometimes crowded and the conductor's job is very difficult particularly in summer. BMTC must put female conductors only in volvo buses. Or at least, first preference must be given to females for conductor's job in Volvo buses. BMTC will do well to take a look at this.
On the other hand i don't quite understand the logic behind conductors in the Airport service Vayu Vajra buses. They are simply not required. When contacted, a BMTC official told me that conductors are helpful in helping the passengers manage their luggage. My experience has been that people with more luggage will normally don't take the bus from or to airport. Even if they do, they will be young and can manage their luggage. Every time i have taken the Volvo to the airport, i have never seen the conductor helping the passenger with the luggage. I have observed a couple of times the BMTC person (not the conductor) helping the passengers to manage their luggage. All in all, for the conductor in the vayu vajra bus, it is just a ride to and fro from the airport a couple of times a day. BMTC is already operating the Vayu Vajra service under loss. They must take a serious look at downsizing the conductors in the airport service. The driver can do the job of issuing tickets.
Strangely, Many buses running intracity in peak hours do not have a conductor. The driver will perform the duties of the conductor as well. Not only does it add to the stress of the driver in peak hour traffic, but also cause traffic congestion since in Bangalore , we do not have a dedicated lane for buses and more time the driver spends in issuing tickets, more traffic will pile up behind him.
In my opinion, this is irrational or stupid. Why do you need conductors in Airport service AC volvo buses with limited stops and few passengers? On the other hand you don't have conductors in regular buses moving in peak hour Bangalore traffic with many stops.
BMTC, please be more rational.
Valid points on having / not having conductors.
ReplyDeleteOn the female conductor part I do not agree. It is the age of non-discrimination.