Shuttle services have been growing popular day by day within IT Employees, especially those who either have a down-to-earth personality or those who d not have the luxury of a six digit disposable income. However, there have always been tiffs between such private services and the government state transport corporations.
In the silicon triangle,every city has its own service. In the case of Pune, there is MetroZip, a shuttle service which is a joint venture of Hinjewadi Industries Association and Maharashtra Industries Development corporation. The service is a satisfactory one which has given some hope to the people of the city, but as luck has it, the service is terribly misused by the drivers and the people. Unlike other shuttles, MetroZip does not have a properly implemented dedicated app service. Drivers still ply their services illegally, picking any Tom, Dick and Harry from any corner and the drivers drive in a typical 'Punekar' manner. So, as a city famous for its many flops, MetroZip is also getting bashed terribly in the city but the Punekar will still be happy. As long as he has a two wheeler, he can talk about how lovely the public transport of Pune is, with India's first bus corridor being implemented and then probably invoke MetroZip, claiming it to be a service of PMPML! However, the fact that MetroZip is following the lines of MSRTC as a welfare service is worth noting.
A MetroZip bus involved with an accident in Pune. The 9th biggest city sure has properly licensed. This is proof! (PC: Twitter)
Hyderabad has its own shuttle service called the 'SheShuttle'. This service was launched around 29 June, 2015 and has got a favourable response from the women employees of Cyberabad and in IT Pockets located in Shamshabad and Medchal districts. The shuttle service has immense corporation from Society of Cyberabad Security Council, the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corridor. In a way, there is a stake-holding of the Telangana government in this service, which increases the accountability of the service. The shuttle has a male driver and a female attendant, and is a well organised service. Telangana has been adding feathers in its cap especially since bifurcation. The splitting of Rangareddy district has also contributed to the development of mobility in the IT sector. The recent additions of UberMoto is a prominent example of how Telangana is progressing with transportation especially in IT corridors day by day.
A SheShuttle in Cyberabad. Another step forward to curbing traffic jams (PC: Cyberabad Security Council)
In the silicon triangle,every city has its own service. In the case of Pune, there is MetroZip, a shuttle service which is a joint venture of Hinjewadi Industries Association and Maharashtra Industries Development corporation. The service is a satisfactory one which has given some hope to the people of the city, but as luck has it, the service is terribly misused by the drivers and the people. Unlike other shuttles, MetroZip does not have a properly implemented dedicated app service. Drivers still ply their services illegally, picking any Tom, Dick and Harry from any corner and the drivers drive in a typical 'Punekar' manner. So, as a city famous for its many flops, MetroZip is also getting bashed terribly in the city but the Punekar will still be happy. As long as he has a two wheeler, he can talk about how lovely the public transport of Pune is, with India's first bus corridor being implemented and then probably invoke MetroZip, claiming it to be a service of PMPML! However, the fact that MetroZip is following the lines of MSRTC as a welfare service is worth noting.
A MetroZip bus involved with an accident in Pune. The 9th biggest city sure has properly licensed. This is proof! (PC: Twitter)
Hyderabad has its own shuttle service called the 'SheShuttle'. This service was launched around 29 June, 2015 and has got a favourable response from the women employees of Cyberabad and in IT Pockets located in Shamshabad and Medchal districts. The shuttle service has immense corporation from Society of Cyberabad Security Council, the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corridor. In a way, there is a stake-holding of the Telangana government in this service, which increases the accountability of the service. The shuttle has a male driver and a female attendant, and is a well organised service. Telangana has been adding feathers in its cap especially since bifurcation. The splitting of Rangareddy district has also contributed to the development of mobility in the IT sector. The recent additions of UberMoto is a prominent example of how Telangana is progressing with transportation especially in IT corridors day by day.
A SheShuttle in Cyberabad. Another step forward to curbing traffic jams (PC: Cyberabad Security Council)
Talking about Bengaluru, the nation's IT capital, it has been infamous for its traffic jams. On comparing statistics, you can see that Bengaluru has even more vehicles than Mumbai. Mumbai has around more than thirty vehicles registered in the city from all four RTOs ( http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/mumbai-has-more-than-25-lakh-vehicles/story-GAirpgRUUv6nHYsvEFSYxM.html) and Bengaluru around 60 lakh vehicles registered from all nine RTOs (Refer http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/At-55-lakh-Bengaluru-has-most-vehicles-plying-after-Delhi/articleshow/48260423.cms). Even after an earth shattering population of vehicles, there has been no dedicated shuttle service for the employees which is run by an SEZ association or any state run IT or industrial department. When services like ZipGo and Ola Shuttle tried operating in the IT city, they were termed illegal by the IT department for two possible reasons: BMTC would start generating losses and the issue of women's safety (Refer http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/22yearold-bpo-employee-gangraped-in-moving-van/article7727319.ece). Karnataka never saw the need of having any such shuttle service because BMTC buses were leased out to IT companies. However, the non patronage of BMTC vehicles (Except for Volvo buses,especially on route 500CA) has become a huge issue. BMTC has also been through a very rough phase since the time Infosys has cancelled its contracts with the state run corporation. Hence, there has been a lot of confusion relating to the movement of private shuttles in the city. (Refer http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/infosys-red-lights-bmtc-on-poor-service-and-upkeep/articleshow/51627078.cms)
Bengaluru's traffic, worsening day by day. A scene near Freedom Park (PC: FakingNews)
Also, our IT fraternity has never cooperated much with the state government. They want the comfort of their cars at the cost of the majority. This is how it has being going on since a long time.
Comparing the mentioned cities, Bengaluru should get some inspiration from Pune and Hyderabad. From the Karnataka Government's stand, aggregator shuttle services need to be kept under a scanner, but the government should also make alternative arrangements for an accountable shuttle service, which will increase the reputation of the state, establish another source of income for the Karnataka government and reduce the traffic of the city. Preferably, shuttle aggregator services should be forced to hold stakes with the Karnataka IT department which will improve accountability. If a proper plan is drafted for the above idea, things will surely improve.
IT zones are very notorious for their traffic jams. Introduction of shuttle services in such areas should be done with care and dedication. Hyderabad tops when it comes to the implementation of this plan, and hopefully aspiring IT hubs in India can replicate this model. Bengaluru and upcoming cities like Amaravathi (Capital of Andhra Pradesh) should consider IT shuttle services as a priority for a better and sustainable future.
