Over 500 BMTC Electric Buses Reportedly Off the Roads Amid Driver Shortage
Hundreds of BMTC electric buses are reportedly remaining idle because of driver shortages and operational issues leaving Bengaluru commuters facing longer waiting times and increasing daily travel difficulties across routes.
Thousands of commuters in Bengaluru are reportedly struggling to catch buses on time as services on several BMTC routes have become irregular in recent days. School students, college-goers and office employees are among those facing long waiting times, with the reduced operation of electric buses being cited as a major reason behind the disruption.
According to reports, BMTC has around 1760 electric buses spread across 15 electric bus depots across the city. However, more than 500 of these buses are reportedly not operating every day. As a result, the gap between bus services on several routes has widened, creating inconvenience for passengers who depend on public transport for their daily commute.
The reduced deployment of electric buses has also affected BMTC staff. Conductors who were assigned to electric bus services are reportedly being shifted to other depots to manage operations on different routes, highlighting the strain on the transport network.
Transport employees’ representatives have alleged that the shortage of drivers is largely linked to salary related issues. They claim that private contractors managing electric bus operations initially promise drivers a monthly salary of Rs 25000, but many eventually receive only around Rs 20000. There are also complaints about delays in salary payments, leading many drivers to resign while discouraging new recruits from joining.
Another concern raised is the increasing number of accidents involving electric buses in recent months. This has reportedly made it more difficult for contractors to recruit experienced drivers willing to operate these vehicles. The shortage of skilled personnel has further slowed the deployment of buses across the city.
Serious allegations have also surfaced regarding the functioning of the system. It has been claimed that some officials may be recording certain electric buses as operational in official reports even when they are not actually running on the roads. These allegations have not been officially confirmed but have added to concerns over the management of the fleet.
Passengers say the impact is being felt every day. Many complain that electric buses are no longer arriving according to schedule, forcing them to wait for extended periods and making it difficult to reach workplaces, educational institutions and other destinations on time. Regular commuters have urged the authorities to restore normal services as quickly as possible.
With a significant number of electric buses reportedly remaining idle, Bengaluru’s public transport system continues to face mounting pressure. Commuters are now calling for immediate action to address driver shortages, resolve wage related concerns and ensure that the city’s electric bus fleet returns to full service at the earliest.
