BMTC buses face frequent breakdowns, safety concerns arise

BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation), which serves as a crucial traffic hub for Bengaluru, plays an essential role in the daily lives of commuters. However, recent statistics have raised concerns regarding the safety and reliability of these buses.

A recent incident involving a BMTC bus colliding head-on with a dhaba near Nagadevanahalli further heightened these concerns. Fortunately, the number of people on the road and aboard the bus was low at the time, preventing a major accident. Despite this, the incident is part of a troubling trend: in the past eight months, a total of 220 BMTC buses have been taken off the roads due to breakdowns.

From April to November 2024, BMTC buses in various parts of the city faced significant technical issues, with breakdowns occurring across multiple months. In April, 11 buses were shut down, followed by 12 in May, 12 in June, 10 in July, 11 in August, 39 in September, 70 in October, and 55 in November. This leaves commuters worried about the safety and efficiency of public transportation in the city.

Out of the 220 affected buses, 74 are diesel-powered, while 156 are electric. While minor accidents have been reported in some areas, the lack of larger incidents has been a relief for now. The BMTC authorities are urged to address these ongoing breakdowns to ensure passenger safety and restore public confidence.