After conductor burnt alive in bus, BMTC staff hesitant to make night halts at isolated places

BENGALURU: After the incident of a 45-year-old Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) conductor being burnt alive in a bus at the Lingadheeranahalli bus depot, now the BMTC staff are now hesitant to make night halts at depots, especially in isolated areas.  They are demanding that the transport utility provide accommodation facilities and make arrangements for overnight stay.

Jagadish, a BMTC bus conductor says that it is difficult for the crew of one to make night halts. If there is group of four-five buses, there will be more security at night, he feels. The department should provide at least some basic infrastructure such as washrooms, he added.

BMTC bus conductors are demanding basic facilities and avoiding single bus crew halts in isolated areas.

Lakshman Reddy, another conductor, said all employees are wary after a BMTC conductor was burnt alive in a bus. He stressed that the transport utility should provide toilets and restrooms for employees who have to do night halts.

Yogesh said, “We can sleep at bus stations in Bengaluru city as there will always be some people who are awake, whereas on the outskirts, there will be no bus stations, no facilities and no safety for life. A single person cannot stay overnight in such areas and there are more than 100 such dangerous bus stops. The department should provide accommodation facility in such isolated areas or at nearby bus stations. The government and the Transport Department should take this seriously and make arrangements. We have families are we are not ready to risk our lives”, he added.