BENGALURU: BMTC buses are in for a makeover. What’s even better, commuters stand to gain from the new look. Advertisements on side glass panels of buses will now make way for destination stickers in Kannada and English, which will serve the twofold purpose of helping commuters easily check routes instead of relying entirely on often malfunctioning digital boards and offering greater visibility so that passengers will no longer struggle to identify points where they have to alight.With the contract with advertisement agencies expiring this September, BMTC has decided not to go in for a renewal for side panels and instead offer commuters some relief. BMTC managing director V Ponnuraj said they have recently put up destination stickers (major places along the route) in both languages on side panels in some buses on a pilot basis. “The response has been good. We are now planning to extend the initiative to more buses,” he said. “We have also decided not to renew the contract with ad agencies.”Many passengers have welcomed the move. “I always see buses plying but I don’t have any clue where they’re going. Digital destination boards of some buses are dysfunctional and by the time we manage to read the temporary board, the bus leaves the stop. Displaying permanent destination stickers on side panels is a good move as it will give citizens an idea about the routes, particularly those who are new to Bengaluru,” said Akshay S, a passenger.The decision to strip glass panels of ads would reduce BMTC’s revenue by about Rs 13 crore per year. Two ad agencies had received a five-year contract in September 2013.Balaraj Nayak, a regular passenger, said: “Passengers standing inside BMTC buses cannot see the alighting point because of ads on side panels. And conductors can’t announce the name of the bus stop every time”.TWITTER ABUZZC Girish GIRISH C? @gcnavadaAdvertisement on top glass might be generating good revenue for u but daily commuters facing huge problem to identify the stops really annoying. It’s a humble request plz take out the adds from top side.Chandrashekhara B @ChandraberikeGot frustrated by advertisement posted in the glasses of @BMTC_BENGALURU buses. For making money the entire bus dipped in add & we can’t see outside & even find out our stop. It preventing us to enjoy the beautiful nature also.Ravishankar @ravishankarsrk3Advertisement posters are pasted on window glasses which is obstruction for passengers to know their stops as per supreme court glasses should be transparent

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