Students using BMTC buses on NICE Road must pay toll fee, says corporation

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has clarified that students using their buses on NICE Road must pay the applicable toll user fee, despite the availability of alternative routes. In a press release, the corporation stated that the user fee is collected solely to recover the toll charges it pays for operating buses on NICE Road, and not as an additional component of the regular passenger fare.

BMTC provides free bus passes to students under the government's student pass scheme, allowing them one or two route changes if there is no direct bus service between their residence and educational institution. Students with concessional passes can travel free on toll routes with no alternative roads, such as journeys to Devanahalli, Doddaballapura, Hoskote, and Kanakapura.

However, for journeys involving NICE Road, students are expected to use alternative routes to avoid paying the toll user fee. Those opting for the NICE Road despite alternatives must pay the applicable toll charge.