Driver shortage leaves over 300 BMTC electric buses idle in Bengaluru

Despite significant investments in green mobility, over 320 electric buses of the BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) are gathering dust in depots due to a severe shortage of drivers. The buses, meant to serve daily commuters and reduce pollution, are now stalled, highlighting a glaring gap between infrastructure rollout and operational readiness.

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BMTC currently has around 8,560 buses, of which 1,500 are electric. These electric buses were procured through partnerships with three private companies responsible not only for maintenance but also for driver deployment. While two of these companies are operating smoothly, one firm, entrusted with over 320 electric buses, is reportedly failing to supply drivers, rendering the fleet unusable.

This lapse has drawn sharp criticism from Karnataka’s Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who has issued a stern warning to the erring company. “If they can’t run the buses, we will terminate the contract,” he declared. Reddy also mentioned that BMTC offered to share drivers from its own pool, asking the private firm to bear their salaries. However, even this solution has not been acted upon.

The situation is not only a logistical failure but also a loss of public resources, as these idle buses were meant to ease urban congestion and serve thousands of daily commuters. With increasing public demand for cleaner and efficient transport, the government’s frustration is understandable.