BMTC issues strict guidelines for bus crews after minister’s reality check

BENGALURU: A day after Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh wore a mask and travelled in BMTC buses to conduct a reality check, strict guidelines have been issued to the BMTC Managing Director, all Divisional Controllers of the organization, Divisional Traffic Officers, and Depot Managers.

Accordingly, all drivers have been instructed to mandatorily stop buses only at designated bus stops and the bus crew must behave respectfully and courteously with all passengers. To ensure that passengers don’t face inconvenience due to lack of change, passengers should be informed to use the UPI payment facility through the Dynamic QR scanning on the ETM machines installed in all buses. Also, no passenger should be made to get off the bus or denied travel due to lack of change.

Conducted a surprise field inspection by travelling on BMTC buses across Bengaluru to assess commuter experience firsthand. Ensuring safe, reliable and accountable public transport remains our highest priority.@BMTC_BENGALURU#BMTC #Bengaluru #PublicTransport #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/uyFOqsuwmd

— Byrathi Suresh (@byrathi_suresh) July 12, 2026

All Divisional Controllers must urgently identify and report bus shelters that are not reflecting as ‘assigned stops’ in the ETM machines. Action should be taken to immediately add such stops to the ETM system. Drivers and conductors against whom complaints are repeatedly received from the public will be identified and given training in soft skills at the Vaddarahalli training centre.

Divisional Traffic Officers and Depot Managers have been directed to visit depots daily and provide continuous guidance to drivers and conductors on road safety, courteous behavior with passengers, and stopping buses at designated stops. Drivers and conductors who provide good service and receive appreciation from passengers will be identified and honoured with appreciation letters from the headquarters.