The BMTC's state-of-the-art training facility at Vaddarahalli on Magadi Road, which conducted training and testing for its staff, has extended the facility to drivers and technicians from other departments.
The BMTC officials are open to training drivers of private buses if needed, on payment of the stipulated fee.
A month-long training is imparted to a batch of 25-30 drivers.
About 15,000 drivers, conductors and technicians have received training on the 20-acre campus in the past two years.
Drivers of heavy vehicles attached to various local bodies of Tumkur, Kunigal, Sira and Bangalore Rural have also been given training at the centre.
Last year, the centre imparted training to 9,500 drivers, 500 conductors and 1,000 technical staff, besides conducting all the tests for the recruits.
The BMTC has planned to upgrade facilities such as accommodation for drivers. Now, about 15 people can be accommodated at the centre, which will be extended to the entire batch of 25-30 people, said a BMTC official.
The centre, built at a cost of Rs 13 crore, has training tracks comprising four-lane and six-lane roads, peripheral roads, uneven roads, eight curves, S-curves, three-point curves and five-point curves.
The centre also has a latest model of buses, interactive classrooms and simulators to facilitate hands-on training.
The officials claimed that the number of accidents involving BMTC buses has come down, as annual refresher courses are conducted besides the training at the time of recruitment for drivers and conductors.
Drivers found to be lacking in their skills are also sent here for additional training.
A BMTC official said that the aim of the centre is to sensitise drivers on road safety and safe driving, besides training them in public etiquette.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks