The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has issued a fresh set of directives to its staff to improve passenger service, safety and commuter experience following a surprise bus inspection by Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh on Saturday.
BMTC bus drivers have been instructed to halt buses only at designated bus stops, while both drivers and conductors have been asked to treat passengers with courtesy and respect. Conductors have also been directed to encourage commuters to use the dynamic QR code-based UPI payment facility available on Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs), and no passenger should be denied travel or forced to alight due to a lack of change.
BMTC has also ordered officials to identify bus shelters that are not reflected as designated stops on ETMs so they can be incorporated into the system. Drivers and conductors who frequently receive public complaints will undergo soft skills training at the corporation’s Vaddarahalli Training Centre.
The development followed a surprise late-night inspection by the Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh, who travelled incognito, wearing a face mask, on more than 10 BMTC buses across Bengaluru on Saturday to assess the quality of public transport services firsthand.
During the inspection, Mr. Suresh found a conductor and a driver allegedly derelict in their duties and recommended their suspension. A BMTC source told The Hindu that an enquiry has been ordered against the conductors and immediate action has been initiated.
The Minister boarded a bus travelling from Hebbal towards Nagashettihalli and asked the conductor to issue two tickets after handing over a ₹100 note. The conductor showed his bag, saying he didn’t have change, and asked the passenger to get off the bus if exact change was unavailable.
The two-hour reality check by the Minister, conducted between 7.10 p.m. and 9.10 p.m., saw him travel across multiple routes covering Jayamahal, TV Tower, R.T. Nagar, Ballari Road, Hebbal, Bhupasandra, Manyata Tech Park, Nagawara, Hennur, Hennur Bande, Byrathi Bande and Geddalahalli. He also took an autorickshaw from Ballari Road to Hebbal as part of the inspection.
During the inspection, Mr. Suresh found that a BMTC bus bearing registration number KA-57 F-3372 failed to stop at the Fun World bus stop despite a waiting passenger signalling the driver. Travelling in the bus behind, the Minister witnessed the incident and directed officials to suspend the driver, Mustaq, and conductor Dayanand for failing to halt at the designated stop.