Volunteers of two citizens groups in Bengaluru celebrated 'Bus Day' on Thursday by thanking bus drivers and conductors for the service they provide to the city.
The initiative of Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) and Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV), the groups also behind the #BusBhagyaBeku campaign, appealed city residents to take the bus to mark the day and thank the drivers.
"Bus drivers bear the brunt of traffic congestion and pollution day in and day out while carrying 50 lakh people every day," the groups said in a statement.
The volunteers met drivers and conductors in several locations across the city including Domlur, JP Nagara, Jayanagara, Vijayanagara, Hebbal, Yeswantpur, Indira Nagar and Banashankari.
Some even offered flowers and sweets to the drivers.
The drivers, the groups said, were pleasantly surprised by their gesture and efforts to bring about awareness about public service.
"They shared their experiences driving in the city and opined that if people use the bus at least once in a week, by leaving their private vehicles aside, it will make a huge difference to traffic and the air we all breathe," the statement said.
The #BusBhagyaBeku campaign that was launched in March this year, has been demanding affordable public transport in the city by increasing the bus fleet and lowering bus fares.