Lessons for KSRTC from Ola Uber Apps

I’m a native of Tvm, who’s currently settled in B’lore. An idea stuck me while I waited for a city bus at Kumarapuram stop. I felt the need for a mobile App which can help commuters locate and find buses passing their route.

The reason why I felt the need for this app is this – WAITING! Why should a state or nation waste the time of a citizen, keeping them in suspense on what time the bus will reach their station. We are now living in era where technology used by Ola or Uber makes it easy to spot the booked cab. Why can’t we apply the same to transport buses?

Well, this idea is for all the transport corporations to implement. From  KSRTC to Delhi or Calcutta bus services can think of building the technology to make the services more predictable.

Probably, engineering students or even school kids who are savvy about mobile app development can implement this in their town

Here’s the project detail:

KSRTC APP ( Mobile App for State Transport)

Here’s the basic scenario: The mission of our public transport is to provide quality and affordable transportation to public. But, over the years,  this public venture is still under the red.

In this regard, I noticed that many low floor buses ( Volvo) are going with empty seats. I find that there’s no means for public to know the timing or the location of these buses and decide on taking other means.

For example, I frequently take Bangalore train from Kochu Veli Station. This train departs at 17 hrs. And, in that time, there’s a low floor bus which passes Kumarapuram ( my stop) to Kochu Veli. As there’s no means to know the location of the bus, I often end up taking a cab or auto from Kumrapuram to reach the station. This is a revenue loss for the KSRTC and for me.

So, here’s a way to overcome this situation.

Develop a Mobile App for KSRTC

Function of this Proposed Mobile App 

1. User will tap the app to open
2. App will take the user location and also show the location of Volvo buses
3. When a bus is selected, it will show the fare, route and probable time to reach
4. It will also show the ph# of the conductor or driver ( It will be useful for the public)
5. User has the option to see the timing of next bus in the same route 

Other options available in the app

• Search option to select bus by route number or destination name
• User is give the option to give feedback

How it will be useful for the public?

• Commuters can easily decide to wait for the bus or look for other means
• KSRTC buses will be more profitable with visibility 
• The high smart phone popularity, this App could be publicizied
• The KSRTC control room will know the location of buses ( GPS)

This project could be taken by a Startup or by Engineering students in the state or IIT Students or by an individual who’s passionate about making a change happen. So, what’s in for you?

1) Learning opportunity for students to work on a real-world problem
2) Publicity for the college or institution
3) Acquire skills to learn through collaboration with IT companies
4) Learn to source ( crowdfunding) funds for this project
5) Added points on your resume

How to Fill the Technology or Knowledge Gap
Don’t let any technical problem come your way. There are always companies who would be interested to support your venture. ( For instance, companies like Infosys, or Wipro, or the tech giant Google, etc, who will be happy to lend their expertise)

I hope you could take this up with your management or the staff of the concerned department ( Computer science) to make this a reality.

For more ideas to make this app: Refer Ola or Uber App. Also, I heard that there are similar apps used in London to track public transport buses.