Metros and buses to ply till late, but auto and cab fares might pinch the pocket
This year’s New Year eve seems to be a special one as the year-end falls on a Saturday. So, while a section of people have planned to head outside the city for long drives, others are planning to head to revelry hotspots like MG Road, Brigade Road and other places. While the police are all geared up for handling New Year’s Eve, here is a checklist on what’s in store for party birds.
Namma Metro
Train services on reach one section between MG Road to Baiyappanahalli stations and in reach 3-3B between Mantri Square Sampige Road to Nagasandra station have been extended till 2 am. The train services will be at a frequency of 30 minutes.
BMTC buses
This time, BMTC seems to have joined the party by running special services for December 31st night. The BMTC officials said that they will run special services from Metro stations, and from various locations to MG Road, Shivajinagar and Kempegowda bus stand. The bus services which generally end by 10 pm will continue to be operated till 2 am on Sunday.
Autos
Autos will also be available across the city and as we know, many Bengaluru autowallahs don’t charge as per the meter in the night. One may have to cough up one-and-a-half times, so the ride may be costly, but still safer than drinking and driving.
Cabs
Cab aggregators have said that they will be operating all night to help the revellers. However, fares might be higher than usual from midnight. According to cab aggregators, during times of peak demand –that’s approximately between midnight and 3am — fares increase (via an algorithm). Though they claim that this is to help to ensure a driver is always nearby and fares will be notified and customers asked to confirm in app, the customers may have to bear the higher cost.
Pubs and restaurants
As the city police have permitted the pubs and restaurants to be open till 2 am on New Year’s eve, the pubs are trying to cash in, especially since they have been hit by demonetisation recently. Ashish Kothare, head of Bengaluru Chapter and member of the managing committee of the National Restaurant Association of India, said, “About 31st night we can’t predict right now, but booking being done through online booking platforms are seeing a good traffic. But the business also sees a lot of walk-ins on the year end from people who have not decided on their venue. But over the years due to high prices, there has been a fall in the numbers of walk-ins and lack of cash liquidity might trigger a rise in numbers as many people these days prefer house parties and the exact numbers will only be clear after the parties are over.”
No flyovers
Most of the city flyovers will be out of bounds for the motorists on new year’s eve. In the past few years, police have been closing down all the flyovers so that motorists don’t go for rash driving and fall from flyovers.
Parking
Before you head for your new year party, make sure that you have checked the right parking space. The traffic police are likely to ban parking spaces in and around MG Road and Brigade Road.
Counsel from cops
The Bengaluru police have told the revellers to ensrue that they get into the right car with the right driver and double check the car before entering. The police are also trying to create awareness and coaxing people not to drive while drunk. Go out and have fun. But do not drink and drive. Get home safe, is the mantra.
