BMTC checks seven meter buses as it plans 200 midi buses despite past records and revenue concerns

BMTC is now exploring suitable models as the demand for smaller vehicles is increasing, especially after the first and last mile connectivity to Namma Metro stations. | Photo credit: File photo

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has started inspecting and evaluating various bus models as it explores the introduction of 200 seven-metre midi/minibuses to improve connectivity on narrow roads and inner-city areas.

The move comes at a time when the company has historically faced both safety concerns about midi buses and financial problems associated with operating smaller buses. BMTC is now exploring suitable models as the demand for smaller vehicles is increasing, especially after the first and last mile connectivity to Namma Metro stations.

The latest exercise also follows Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh’s recent directive to deploy 200 mini air-conditioned electric buses within a 5 km radius of metro stations. Buses are intended to connect residential areas and neighborhoods that are difficult to serve by larger buses. The 200 mini-AC buses are part of the 4,500 electric buses being provided by BMTC under the centre’s PM E-DRIVE system.

According to sources, BMTC is now looking for suitable smaller model buses for these operations with a focus on vehicles that can negotiate narrow roads while providing feeders.

Previous fires have raised safety concerns

BMTC’s experience with midi buses has not been without problems. In January and February 2022, two BMTC buses caught fire within about 10 days of each other, prompting the company to request a safety review of its midibus fleet.

BMTC procured 186 midi buses in 2014. The buses were around nine meters long and had about 33 seats, making them smaller than standard 12 meter buses and suitable for narrower and more congested roads.

The initial fire investigation revealed that the events originated in the engine area. A later evaluation stated that loose parts in the starter led to the short. The BMTC subsequently subjected the buses to detailed checks before allowing them to return to service.

Safety concerns were among the factors that made BMTC cautious about expanding its fleet of smaller buses.

Another obstacle is the economy of sales

However, technical and security issues are not the only problem. The economics of running mini and midi buses have also made the BMTC cautious about expanding their use, according to officials.

“BMTC assesses bus operations by comparing cost per kilometer (CPKM) to earnings per kilometer (EPKM). Smaller buses have a lower passenger carrying capacity but require much the same basic crew arrangement as larger buses. A standard 12m BMTC bus can carry significantly more passengers than a minibus or midi bus, with driver and conductor costs to contend with, bus costs can be low enough that route revenues can remain substantial similar. with poor ridership,” the official said.

This issue becomes more significant under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model used for several BMTC electric buses. Under this arrangement, the vehicle is owned and maintained by a private operator while BMTC pays an agreed rate per kilometer to operate the bus.

This means that BMTC has to pay the contracted amount irrespective of whether the bus is carrying a full load or just a handful of passengers. For transport services where passenger demand can vary widely between peak and off-peak, this can increase the financial burden on the company.

“Despite these concerns, the expansion of Namma Metro has increased the need for reliable transport services. With metro stations expanding to more parts of Bengaluru, we expect to play a bigger role in connecting neighborhoods to the metro network,” the official added.

Published – 19 Sep 2026 21:17 IST