BMTC to expand bus services on high-density routes

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to add hundreds of bus services on high-density routes to meet rising passenger demand and better utilise its fleet, a senior official said. 

With 2,286 conductors joining from Monday, the BMTC plans to increase daily bus services in the coming weeks, adding at least 100 on 25 high-density routes, according to GT Prabhakara Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager, BMTC. 

Although the BMTC now has more buses than it did before the pandemic, it operates fewer services than before Covid-19. It cited inconsistent demand and crew shortages for not restoring hundreds of bus services. 

This has led to severe overcrowding on many routes during peak hours, including those with high passenger density. 

In 2016, the BMTC operated more than 6,200 of its nearly 6,500 buses daily, with fleet utilisation reaching 95%. 

But nine years down the line, despite having 6,851 buses, only 5,950 buses are in service daily. 

Passengers say bus services on many routes have either been reduced or cancelled. 

A Yelahanka resident, who works in a bank near Town Hall, explained how poor bus frequency is affecting passengers. "Before Covid-19, you could get a bus every 5-10 minutes to Majestic, KR Market, and even Shivajinagar. Now, we have to wait 20 minutes," the resident said, adding that the problem persists during the rush hour, too. 

Shaheen Shasa, a member of the Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV), also flagged poor bus frequency in areas like Kasavanahallli, Jail Road, LB Shastri Nagar, Laggere, Sadaramangala, and ITPL Main Road. 

She called for a detailed demand study, noting that the BMTC hadn't conducted origin-destination mapping in years. 

"BMTC buses aren't available on ITPL Main Road during peak hours. We see many people boarding private buses," she said and asked the corporation to create demand by offering reliable services. 

Reddy acknowledged the rising demand, but listed three challenges why the BMTC had not been able to fulfill it: the impact of rising metro ridership, a shortage of crew, and the need to keep a spare fleet of 500-600 buses for maintenance. 

"Demand is certainly there, but we faced a shortage of crew. We have hired 2,286 conductors and published the final selection list. They will start joining from Monday (May 12) onwards. We plan to add 100 buses on 25 high-density routes in the next 25 days," he told DH. 

These services will be in addition to the 262 electric buses, including 86 AC e-buses on the airport route, that the BMTC will introduce in the coming weeks, he added. 

The fine print 

Current fleet: 6,851 (5,482 diesel & 1,369 e-buses)

Daily services: 5,950

Daily schedules in km: 12.09 lakh

Daily ridership: 40 lakh

The fleet’s road map

401: Yelahanka to Kengeri TTMC

K2: Hebbal to Mysuru Road Bus Station

201: Srinagar to Domlur

215H: Majestic to Jambu Savari Dinne

210N: Majestic to Uttarahalli

13: Shivajinagar to Banashankari TTMC