Spotted this Marco Polo bus today at Yeswanthpur. I saw a few Marco Polos some time ago*, and then I saw this one today, so I did some digging, and found out some interesting facts....
According to a news report in The Hindu, BMTC was running two of these buses as an experimental stage starting November 2008. (The buses were flagged off on Rajyotsava). Interestingly, the BMTP proposed a fare structure that seems much lower that that of the DTC. In March 2009, the plan for Marco Polos was shelved. It was reported that
...a senior official at BMTC said: “TM buses are not good value for money. TM buses are only Rs 10 lakh cheaper than Vajra buses while the life of a TM bus is shorter than that of a Vajra. Moreover, operational costs of the TM buses are very high and these buses are noisier than Vajra buses. Riding comfort for a passenger is also low.” “Moreover, the BMTC is not happy with the feedback from the public on the two buses put on trial-run. Our commuters are not very happy with TM buses,” the officer added.He also said that operating two types of fleet (Volvo and TM) would create operational problems for the BMTC. [1]
Incidentally, the cost of buses reported by the DTC and by BMTC is completely different. For Marco Polo buses, DTC paid 60 Lakhs per bus in 2009. BMTC released figures in 2009 saying that Marco Polo buses cost 69Lakhs, and the Volvos cost 78 Lakhs. According to the BMTC report, the Marco Polos were almost as expensive as the Volvos and not anywhere as good. So BMTC decided to stick with the Volvos.
Incidentally, a number of DTC's Marco Polos have had operational trouble - with as many as 9 fires in the new low floor buses till date.In fact Tata motors was fined Rs 4Cr. [2] for the alleged low quality of buses provided.
For now, Bangalore will be keeping an eye out for these new buses...
Marco Polos are operating on 257M (KBS - BIEC) and on some routes from Kengeri / Upanagara.
[1]From an article signed: monica@epmltd.com
[2] Article in DNA, Jan9 2010
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