A comprehensive online passenger information system providing details of the routes, timings and bus stops will soon be established by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). Commuters can also access the system through mobile phone.

The system will have three components — a toll-free helpline, an automatic SMS responder, and an Interactive Voice Response System.

The entire programme has been outsourced to Ascenso Telecom Solutions, which has agreed to offer the service free of cost in exchange for advertising rights.

The proposed facility will supplement MTC's 9383337639 and 9445030516 helpline for complaints and suggestions.

A senior MTC official told The Hindu that the proposed helpline would function like a call centre. Information about bus stops along a particular route number, origin and destination, journey time, fare details, and expected time of arrival at a particular bus stop will be available through the service.

The SMS service will also provide real-time vehicle tracking capabilities to commuters.

The position of any of the 550 GPS-enabled buses in the MTC fleet can be obtained by sending a text message giving the bus route number.

Information centres and a toll-free helpline are part of the guidelines under the bus procurement scheme of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The city procured nearly 1,000 buses under the scheme in 2009.

“Such a service is absolutely necessary for the MTC. It will improve efficiency, apart from providing accurate and useful information to commuters. With greater access to information, there is a possibility of a shift to public transport,” the official said.

Source: The Hindu