BMTC plans new express bus service with limited stops amid bike-taxi ban in Karnataka

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to launch a new category of non-air-conditioned express buses aimed at long-distance commuters. These buses, to be introduced under a separate brand, will operate with limited stops and utilise flyovers to reduce travel time significantly. While fares will be marginally higher than existing non-AC services, they will remain accessible to women under the state’s Shakti scheme, which ensures free bus travel for female passengers across Karnataka.

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The proposed routes are being designed to avoid low-demand stops and focus on high-traffic points, providing a more efficient alternative to existing services. Potential destinations include Chikkaballapur, Attibele, Harohalli, Devanahalli, and Nelamangala—locations identified based on growing passenger demand and ongoing transit data evaluations.

This initiative aligns with BMTC’s broader strategy to enhance public transportation efficiency amid recent disruptions in the mobility sector. The move follows a state-wide suspension of app-based bike taxi services, enforced by Karnataka’s transport department in compliance with a High Court order.

Ride-hailing platforms such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido have withdrawn bike taxi options from their apps. The Karnataka High Court had earlier declared such services illegal, and a division bench recently refused to stay that decision. This clampdown has sparked concern among commuters and gig economy workers, many of whom relied on bike taxis for daily transit and earnings.

The express bus rollout may now play a key role in bridging the emerging mobility gap.