Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation

BMTC began with a legacy of loss. Back in 1997, it was formed after the bifurcation of Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation (KSRTC) and gained an equity capital of Rs 64.59 crore (US $16 million), and an accumulated loss of Rs 72.68 crore (US $18 million). But the very next year, it was able to make a profit and has continued to do so ever since, resulting in an accumulated net worth of Rs 683.31 crore (US $170 million). Consistent profit on traffic revenue started from the year 2003-04.

BMTC’s origin goes back to 1940 when it was created as a private company called Bangalore Transport Company (BTC) with a fleet of just 98 buses serving the city. In 1956, the Government of Mysore took it over and renamed it the Bangalore Transportation Service (BTS), which extended its service to a 16 km radius around the city. BTS was recognised as an independent unit under KSRTC in 1993 and in 1997 got separated from KSRTC and was re-born as BMTC. Part of the success of BMTC lies in its ability to offer innovative and tailor-made branded services to its customers, creating brand loyalty and a sense of belonging among its patrons. Pushpak was the beginning of the initiative and at present BMTC boasts of services like Metro, Grid, Passes Special, Ladies Special, Hospital Special and Mall Special.

To cater to different economic sections of society it has a variety of rolling stock such as Ordinary, Pushpak and the world-class Vajra (Volvo) services. This initiative was aimed at reducing personalised mode of transport and encouraging public transport, contributing directly to traffic and air quality improvement in the city. The introduction of more comfortable and better designed passenger/environment friendly buses has received whole-hearted support and encouragement from the public, helped BMTC grow faster than any other city public transport in India and made it profitable too. BMTC has one of the most successful commuter pass systems, with a patronage of more than half a million. The modest pricing and the services made available under it is the central feature of its stupendous success. Seven additional benefits including automatic travel insurance and medical reimbursements are offered to pass users as a bonus under an umbrella called rainbow benefits.

BMTC not only strives to serve the citizens of Bangalore by providing affordable, efficient and safe public transport but also takes care of its employees who have powered the corporation’s unprecedented success story. BMTC staff are provided with facilities like medical treatment, housing, loans for the education of their children, a life insurance scheme of Rs 3 lakh (US$ 7500) - the only government sector undertaking to do so in India. It encourages gender equality by reserving 33 per cent of its jobs for women. In order to fulfill its mission - “providing efficient, economic, safe, reliable and punctual services to the commuters of city and suburban areas of Bangalore”, BMTC has plans for large scale expansion requiring a capital of Rs 3000 crore (US $7.5 billion) for running 1000 buses in its circuit.

With the opening of the new international airport and a booming economy creating new jobs and more Bangaloreans by the day, BMTC’s expansion is fundamental to the city’s vast mobility needs. The proposed growth includes improved connectivity of routes, a huge increase in the number of buses operating and easier access to information for the commuter.

With a history of efficiency, growth and service, BMTC is poised to be an important contributor to Bangalore’s success as an international city.