Bangaluru: Fares of Namma Metro and city buses in Bengaluru, including Volvo buses, are likely to be reduced on second Sundays starting from February when the government will initiate its Traffic-less Day programme to check pollution.

Transport Minister H M Revanna said the decision was taken to encourage public transport and regulate private vehicles.
“Fares of tickets and daily passes of the BMTC buses as well as Namma Metro fares will be cut on second Sundays. Encouraging the public transport is the best way to check pollution in the city,” he said.

The minister, who spoke about the plan for the third time in two weeks, said discussions were going on with officials on the reduction in fares. “We are also talking with metro officials on cutting fares,” he said.

Noting that about 72 lakh vehicles have been registered in the city, Revanna said if 62 lakh vehicles stay off the road for a day fuel consumption, as well as pollution, will come down. “Autorickshaws, taxis and maxicabs will not be affected by the measure,” he added.

Stressing that the government will not ‘ban’ private vehicles, Revanna said the Traffic-less Day will be more of an awareness campaign.

“A law banning private vehicles will not stand in the court. Our aim is to make people shun their vehicles on one day in a month,” he said.

The minister said the BBMP will hold a special council meeting in this regard. The civic agencies will be involved to spread awareness in all the wards. The people will be requested to participate in meetings and seminars to help them understand the necessity for such measures. Authorities will rope in youths from the corporate sector to join hands for the success of the programme.

“We have decided not to try odd-even rule, which failed in Delhi. Bengaluru is 6th in the list of polluted cities in the country. We have to take some measures before it is too late,” he said.

Transport Minister H M Revanna said allegations of irregularities in the purchase of Marcopolo buses during the previous government’s reign will be investigated.

“I will ask for a complete report on the purchase of those buses. Action will be initiated against officials and leaders involved in the scam,” he said.