In recent times, Bengaluru has witnessed a surge in accidents involving BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) buses, primarily attributed to the use of outdated Dakota buses, which have led to numerous fatalities. The number of accidents in the city is increasing day by day, with allegations pointing to the continued operation of old buses as the main cause. Last year, 44 people lost their lives in BMTC bus accidents, while 7 fatalities were reported in the past month alone.
Many of these buses suffer from issues such as non-functional horns, engine problems, faulty gearboxes, brakes, and clutch pads. Passengers have expressed that replacing these old buses with new ones could significantly reduce accidents.Taking note of public concerns and the need for safer commuting, the Central Government has given the green signal for BMTC to acquire 4500 new electric buses. These buses are expected to be introduced in phases starting from the end of this year or early next year.
As these new buses join the fleet, the old buses will be phased out and scrapped. The new fleet includes 4100 standard electric buses and 400 air-conditioned electric buses. BMTC has already begun preparing charging stations at 15 to 20 depots. Currently, BMTC operates 1200 electric buses, and with the addition of the new ones, the total will reach 5700 electric buses.This development is a ray of hope for Bengaluru’s residents, who have been troubled by frequent breakdowns and accidents caused by BMTC buses. The introduction of these new buses is expected to save lives and improve the commuting experience in the Silicon City.