Drivers on leave, commuters wait

Passengers were seen waiting for hours to board BMTC buses

With about 6000 bus drivers and conductors yet to report to duty, there’s a severe shortage of manpower in the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). And this is causing inconvenience to commuters as lakhs of people have had to wait for buses.

On Monday, the Transport Minister announced that around 4,000 BMTC buses will be operating from Tuesday morning. However, many commuters were seen waiting for hours at the Kempe Gowda Bus Station, KR Market and Yeshwanthpur Bus Station. Some waited for almost two hours to board a bus.

Many commuters were seen arguing with the BMTC officials at KR Market and demanded that BMTC officials inform their higher authorities about non-arrival of BMTC buses. “Many of the commuters have had no livelihood for two months. Now, they have to reach their respective workplaces on time. There is no guarantee of getting their wages for the day if they report late to work. We have been requesting the BMTC to operate all the bus services to avoid inconvenience to the commuters,’’ said Vinay Srini-vasan of Bengaluru Bus Prayaanikara Vedike (BBPV).

We could not operate 4,000 bus services because nearly 6,000 BMTC drivers and conductors are yet to report for duty–A BMTC official

Speaking to the media, BMTC chairman NS Nandiesha Reddy attributed the lockdown norm of 7 am to 7 pm as one of the reasons for the delay in the arrival of buses. “We have to take permission from higher authorities to operate BMTC buses from 6 am to 8 pm. We are confident we will get permission on Wednesday,’’ said Nandiesha Reddy.

A BMTC official clarified that only 3,500 bus services were in operation on Tuesday as against the expected 4,000 buses. “We could not operate 4,000 bus services because around 6,000 drivers and conductors are yet to report for duty. Most of them are still in their home towns. They’re expected in a day or two. Before the lockdown, BMTC was operating 6,000 bus services,’’ said the official.