Bengaluru: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has extended its Vajra Vistara AC bus services up to Channapatna. These buses are now being operated from Majestic to Channapatna via Ramanagara. Channapatna is located nearly 60km from Majestic, making it one of the longest routes operated by BMTC.Eight buses have been deployed on the route, with 44 trips operated daily. The corporation has fixed the fare at Rs 105, including toll charges. Commuters can purchase a daily pass for Rs 180 or a weekly pass for Rs 1,000. A monthly pass for these services costs Rs 2,700.After state govt permitted BMTC to operate services up to a 40-km radius beyond Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits in March, the transport utility launched Vajra Vistara services to Ramanagara and Kanakapura.A BMTC official said, “This is one of BMTC’s longest routes for its AC services. Vajra Vistara buses to Ramanagara have received good patronage and the same has now been extended till Channapatna. The fare from Ramanagara to Channapatna is Rs 25.”On Friday, Channapatna MLA CP Yogeshwar and former Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh flagged off the new services at Channapatna bus stand. Passengers can cover the distance in 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.“We started services to Ramanagara by deploying six AC buses, and since the first week of March, 33,000 passengers used the service. These buses operate on Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway. After receiving permission from govt to extend our operational jurisdiction, Vajra Vistara AC buses are now being operated to Kanakapura, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapura, and Channapatna, which is the latest addition. In future, we will explore more destinations where there is demand for such services.”
