Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced that the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC)'s fleet of buses will be increased with the addition of 6,000 buses in a phased manner.
The move will lead to the number of buses in the city almost doubling. BMTC currently operates around 6,500 buses in the city and is in the process of phasing out 1,000 old buses.
Speaking to reporters, Yediyurappa said that the state government is planning to lease buses as it would reduce the financial impact on BMTC. He added that the corporation was unable to invest thousands of crores for procuring buses and will instead operate them after leasing, reported The Hindu
Activists in the city who have been demanding that the state government should revive the bus network in Bengaluru raised concerns about the decision to lease buses from private companies.
"We are concerned that we are leasing the buses and not purchase. We ask that there is a long term plan to purchase buses and strengthen BMTC else this will not work. What we need is for BMTC to be given more funds. We will then be sure to celebrate", Bus Prayanikara Vedike said in a social media post.
We are concerned that we are leasing the buses and not purchase. We ask that there is a long term plan to purchase buses abd strengthen BMTC else this will not work. What we need is for @BMTC_BENGALURU to be given more funds. We will then be sure to celebrate. @WeAreBangalore
— BusPrayanikaraVedike (@BBPVedike) November 7, 2019
Yediyurappa also announced that 50% of the new buses to be added will be electric and they will operate on priority lanes. The state government has decided to start priority bus lanes in 12 areas of the city with high traffic.