BMTC Faces Criticism Over Plan to Introduce Audio Advertisements Inside City Buses

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation is preparing to introduce a new source of revenue by allowing audio advertisements to be played through speakers inside its buses. While the proposal is aimed at improving the financial health of the public transport operator, it has already sparked criticism from regular commuters who fear it will negatively affect their travel experience.

BMTC has been dealing with financial challenges due to rising diesel costs and delays in receiving government reimbursements under welfare schemes. To improve its earnings, the corporation has already explored advertising on the exterior of buses and on the back of tickets. The latest proposal takes the idea a step further by introducing advertisements inside buses through the existing public announcement system.

According to officials, the plan could become the first initiative of its kind in the country. The proposal has reportedly been submitted to the state transport department for approval. If cleared, advertisements will be broadcast through the speaker system installed inside BMTC buses, creating an additional income stream for the transport corporation.

The move is being considered because BMTC operates one of the largest public transport networks in the region. Nearly 6800 diesel and electric buses carry more than 45 lakh passengers every day. With such a large daily audience, officials believe audio advertisements could attract companies looking to reach a wide range of consumers while generating significant revenue for the transport operator.

However, the proposal has received a strong backlash from daily passengers. Many commuters argue that buses are already crowded and noisy during peak hours. Adding commercial advertisements through speakers could make journeys more stressful and uncomfortable, especially for people who spend long hours commuting every day.

Passengers are particularly worried that continuous advertisements may interfere with important travel information. Many rely on onboard announcements to identify upcoming stops, especially senior citizens, first time travelers and those unfamiliar with city routes. If advertisements overlap with these announcements, commuters fear they could miss their destinations or face unnecessary confusion.

Several regular passengers have also questioned whether commercial promotions should take priority over passenger convenience. They believe the speaker system should remain dedicated to route information and safety announcements instead of promotional content.

Transport experts note that public transport agencies often look for alternative revenue sources to reduce financial pressure. However, they also stress that any new initiative should be carefully designed so that it does not compromise passenger comfort or essential communication during travel.

As the proposal awaits official approval, many commuters are hoping BMTC will consider public feedback before implementing the plan. While improving revenue remains important for the corporation, passengers believe maintaining a comfortable and reliable travel experience should continue to be the highest priority.