The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has issued a call for tenders and is ready to bring back double-decker buses to the city. The choice made by BMTC, though, has commuters daily feeling both relieved and perplexed. They wonder why the bigger passenger-carrying twin-deck buses are restricted to certain routes rather than being deployed on all major thoroughfares.The development has come after the BMTC recently approved the floating of tenders to lease 10 double-decker AC electric buses on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model.Double-decker buses havent been seen on city streets since 1997. They were later phased out due to problems with maintenance and operation. However, the debate about double-decker buses resurfaced lately as part of an effort to support public transit in the tech capital, which is one of the worlds ten most crowded cities.BMTC has determined that three routes—Majestic (Kempegowda bus station) to Shivajinagar, Majestic to Attibele, and Vijayanagar to Kalasipalya—are suitable for double-decker bus operations because there arent many other options.It is worth noting here that the double-decker buses are part of a broader initiative to promote public transport in a city grappling with traffic congestion for many years. The National Clean Air Programme and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport have provided funding for the strategic choice to lease ten double-decker AC electric buses on a GCC model. Each double-decker can carry about 65 passengers, compared to standard electric buses that have a carrying capacity of 33–40 seats. This could help address the growing need for public transit.
