Bengaluru to introduce automatic passenger counting system in buses

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to introduce an Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) system in 30 select buses to get more accurate data on passenger movement, occupancy and boarding and alighting patterns.

The system is to provide automated information to BMTC about the number of passengers boarding and alighting at various stops along with deck occupancy. According to officials, the system will also allow the transport company to compare passenger numbers recorded by APC with data from its electronic tickets (ETM), including information related to students and pass holders.

BMTC Automatic Passenger Counting System (APC).

What will the Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) system track?

Boarding and disembarking passengers

Occupancy of passengers on board

Movement of passengers by route, vehicle, route and stop

Passenger trends over different time periods

Why BMTC Introduces APC System?

To get more accurate passenger data

Analyze passenger load and overcrowding

To improve route and schedule planning

Independently verify passenger numbers recorded by ETM

This initiative is expected to give BMTC a more detailed picture of passenger demand across routes and journeys. Data generated through the system can be used for service planning, rationalization of timetables, passenger load analysis and identification of overcrowding cases, officials said.

Passenger trends

“The APC system will be installed at passenger doors and will use sensors and onboard devices to automatically detect passenger movement. The proposed solution will also include software and backend systems to process data generated by the devices,” the official explained.

Under the project, BMTC has floated a tender for a system that can provide passenger data by route, vehicle, trip and stop as well as at different time periods. The system is also expected to provide downloadable dashboards, analytical tools and reports, allowing the company to examine passenger trends and operational data.

An important part of the project will be the integration of the APC system with the existing technological infrastructure of BMTC. The tender specifies that the solution should support integration with the corporate Automatic Vehicle Locator System (AVLS), ETM system and other systems wherever required and where necessary interfaces and data are made available by BMTC.

According to officials, the proposed system is expected to help BMTC independently verify passenger numbers recorded through its ticketing system. This could be particularly useful for understanding passenger numbers on routes where passengers travel using different card categories, as APC data can provide another source of information on passenger movements.

95% accuracy

The tender also states that the APC system should achieve a counting accuracy of at least 95% when commissioned. Passenger numbers will be checked against the corresponding ETM passenger data as part of the verification process. The successful service provider will also need to perform calibration and corrections based on observations made during acceptance testing.

Another senior BMTC official said the system can also help identify revenue leakages arising from two major issues: theft by employees and ticketless passengers traveling without paying fares.

“At present, checking inspectors punish ticketless passengers and recommend disciplinary action against conductors found involved in corrupt practices. However, the corporation has not been able to effectively control theft. This system can help us identify and address these issues more effectively,” the official added.

Published – 30 Sep 2026 06:01 IST