BANGALORE: Problems faced by the commuters of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) does not end with buses being overcrowded, inadequate frequencies of the buses, issues with tendering change or cases of pick pocketing. The older passengers have a tougher time traveling. Not only do they struggle while getting in to a bus (since most buses have no low floor-boards), but they also have a hard time finding a seat and buying a ticket (according to the fares allotted for them). Along with the problems that the general public face, the elderly have a hard time because semi or fully air conditioned buses such as the Volvos are the only ones with a low floor-boards and in turn, the tickets are expensive when compared to the regular buses. The senior citizens are issued ID cards and passes that help them travel in all kinds of buses, except the ac ones. “The concessions are profitable for us only when traveling distances more than 20 kilometres. However, it is a burden on our pockets when the commute generally comes up to five or eight kilometres a day,” said NV Subbarao (72), a retired railway official.Although they have a 25 per cent concession when buying a ticket and 30 per cent discount on monthly passes, they claim that it is still a hindrance. There are about 6,078 buses that ply everyday in the city. Two seats are reserved exclusively for the senior citizens. “It is always occupied by unsympathetic youngsters and other men. They do not make seat for us even when we are standing next to them. It is embarrassing for us to ask them for our rightful seats,” KV Sitapathi (82), a retired audit officer. Gowramma (64), a flower-vendor explains that, “Sometimes college girls do give away their seats for us. Especially when we are carrying huge bags. It is not much of a problem for me.”“It should be the responsibility of the conductor to allot us seats. If we ask for seats, the passengers will not oblige. But, the conductors have an authority to ask them to vacate the seat and the passengers have to listen to him,” said Subbarao. In connection to this, Prabhu Das, the chief traffic manager commented that, “We have taken up an initiative in educating the people about the allotment of seats. The conductors too are being told to help the senior citizens. We understand their plight and we want to make it easier for them to travel. The enforcement committee is trying their best to make it safe and easier for all kinds of commuters.” He continued saying, “In the future, all buses that we buy will be with low floor-boards. The old ones will be removed from its services.”When the senior commuters were asked whether they would prefer the Bangalore Metro over the BMTC, they said that they would chose to travel by bus because of the satisfying frequency within city limits and that it would be difficult for them to adapt to the new Metro culture.
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