BMTC Set to Add 4,500 Electric Buses Under PM E Drive Plan
The Karnataka government is preparing to expand BMTCs electric bus fleet under PM E Drive, while transport employees demand that existing BMTC drivers operate the new buses.
BMTC plans 4,500 electric buses.
PM E Drive expansion awaits approval.
Transport workers oppose private driver deployment.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is preparing for a major expansion of its electric bus fleet, with 4,500 new electric buses proposed under the central governments PM E Drive scheme.
The proposal is expected to come before the Karnataka cabinet for approval soon. BMTC officials have already begun preparations at various depots, with the managing director reportedly directing officials to make the necessary arrangements for the incoming buses.
Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh has also indicated that the electric bus plan remains on track and is likely to receive cabinet approval.
However, the proposed expansion has triggered a fresh dispute over who should operate the buses. The Karnataka State Road Transport Employees Federation is demanding that experienced BMTC drivers be assigned to all 4,500 vehicles instead of relying on private drivers.
The employees group has argued that BMTC personnel already have experience handling advanced buses and understand the citys road conditions and public transport network. It has also raised concerns about the performance of privately operated electric buses.
According to the employees body, accidents involving private drivers have increased and several routes have reportedly faced disruptions because of maintenance and operational issues involving private operators.
The federation has therefore urged the government to keep the operation of the new electric buses within BMTC and avoid any further move towards privatisation of the city bus service.
State president R Chandrashekar has reportedly written to the transport minister seeking the deployment of BMTC drivers for the proposed fleet. The organisation has also warned of a larger protest if its demands are not addressed.
The proposed 4,500 electric buses could significantly expand Bengaluru public transport capacity and strengthen the citys shift towards cleaner mobility. However, the government will now have to balance the fleet expansion with concerns raised by its own transport workforce.
