Bengaluru: BMTC earns ₹25.15 crore from bus advertisements on 6,199 buses in 2024-25

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is increasingly relying on non-fare revenue to sustain its operations as growth in commuter numbers slows due to expanding Metro connectivity and competition from ride-hailing services. Official data shows that the corporation earned ₹25.15 crore in 2024-25 from advertisements displayed on its fleet of 6,199 buses.

Also read: BMTC launches intensive training for 12,000 drivers to curb rising bus accidents in Bengaluru

According to figures presented recently in the Legislative Council, BMTC’s annual bus maintenance costs for the year stood at ₹83.50 crore. To offset relatively stagnant ticket revenue, the corporation turned to structured advertising contracts under Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) guidelines.

BMTC bus wrap ads

At present, 3,000 non-air-conditioned buses carry full-wrap advertisements managed by a private agency, with each bus fetching ₹12,616 per month. In addition, 400 premium Volvo buses feature ads placed by another agency at ₹25,255 per bus per month. Together, these campaigns generate around ₹4.64 crore every month, helping cover recurring expenses such as staff salaries, fuel, and essential upkeep.

Officials said the initiative marks a continued shift towards commercial revenue streams to reduce reliance on passenger fares. BMTC has previously deployed advertising on select air-conditioned services, but this is the first large-scale rollout to non-AC buses.

While some commuters have raised concerns that external wraps obscure bus identification, the corporation maintains that advertising contracts are awarded transparently and form part of a wider strategy to keep services financially viable amid evolving urban transport choices.