80 people dead in BMTC bus accidents since 2024

Bengaluru: At least 80 people have lost their lives in road accidents involving BMTC buses since 2024, according to Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) data. 

This year has been particularly deadly with 38 fatalities reported until August 24, including five this month alone. 

Four of the five fatalities reported this August involved two-wheeler passengers; two victims were children. On Sunday, an 11-year-old boy travelling with his uncle on a two-wheeler was killed when a BMTC bus struck them on SJP Road near KR Market. 

In 2024, BMTC bus-related accidents resulted in 42 deaths and 155 injuries. So far this year, 124 accidents have occurred, killing 38 people and injuring 91. 

During the same period, KSRTC buses in Bengaluru were involved in accidents that killed 20 people and injured 32. Private buses accounted for 48 deaths and 203 injuries, the data shows. 

A senior traffic police officer said: "BMTC buses are large vehicles and cannot be brought to halt immediately when someone falls. A buffer of at least 10 feet is needed to stop the bus." 

Poor road conditions and the overtaking of buses are major contributors to such accidents, the officer added and urged riders to exercise caution. 

The BMTC stated that its drivers were not at fault in four of the five fatal accidents this month. One accident was due to passenger negligence and operational error by the e-bus driver. 

"A majority of such accidents occur when two-wheeler riders attempt risky overtaking manoeuvres and lose control, resulting in collisions with the rear wheels of buses," it noted. 

Regarding Sunday's accident, the corporation said the two-wheeler rider attempted to overtake the bus from the left and braked abruptly to avoid another vehicle ahead. The scooter skidded, and all three passengers fell onto the road. The child tragically slipped under the left rear wheel of the bus, it added. 

BMTC FAME-II electric buses operation back to normal and running on road after M/s TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited officials discussing with drivers in Bengaluru on Wednesday 15th May 2024.

The BMTC said that all drivers and conductors receive daily safety briefings. Drivers are suspended and lose two annual increments for the first fatal accident, and are dismissed from service for the second fatal accident. In the past year, 20 drivers were suspended over 20 fatal accident cases, it added. 

Nishanth Joshi, an IT employee and regular two-wheeler rider, criticised bus drivers. "Only a few drivers halt the bus next to designated stops. Others just stop it in the middle of the road. The gap between the footpath and the bus is where we end up going. If buses stop fully to the left, we can overtake safely from the right." 

BMTC drivers not at fault 60% of time: Minister

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended BMTC bus drivers. "There’s a false perception that BMTC drivers are rash. If you look into accidents involving BMTC 60% of the time drivers are not at fault. Our drivers are well-trained and professional and appointed purely based on merit" he told DH.