Old BMTC Buses Hit Revenue: CAG Report Reveals 25% Fleet is Outdated

A recent CAG report reveals that 25% of BMTC’s buses have surpassed their recommended lifespan and mileage, leading to inefficiency and performance issues. These old BMTC buses fall short of productivity targets and are also driving up maintenance and operational costs.

BMTC 500-CS and BMTC 505 Timing & Route

A new report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reveals that 25% of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC) buses have exceeded their recommended lifespan and mileage limits.

The CAG report further highlights that these old BMTC buses are inefficient and do not meet performance standards. These buses, due to their aging condition, are averaging only 80-147 kilometers per day, a sharp contrast to the targeted 206 km. 

This decline in performance is compounded by rising maintenance costs, as older buses require more repairs and spare parts. With escalating fuel prices and operational expenses, the combination of outdated equipment and soaring costs spells trouble for BMTC.

Also Read: BMTC Launches 100 New Buses, Reveals Ambitious Future Plans

Audit Report of Old BMTC Buses

The CAG audit report sheds light on the concerning state of BMTC’s fleet, revealing that a significant portion of the old BMTC buses are falling short of performance expectations. Below are the key findings from the audit:

  • Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, 12.60% to 29.08% of BMTC’s fleet (841 to 1,909 buses) had surpassed their useful life.
  • Out of these, 341 to 823 buses exceeded both their recommended service years and mileage limits.
  • Buses older than 11 years had a daily productivity of only 80-147 kilometers, below the target of 206 kilometers per day.
  • Buses that had operated for more than 8.5 lakh kilometers had a drastically low daily productivity, ranging from 0.11 to 3.27 kilometers.
  • Some buses, having exceeded 8.5 lakh kilometers and not being used for trips, were still included in the fleet count.
  • Vehicles not in active service but accounted for as part of the fleet represented 9.59% to 14.54% of BMTC’s total buses.

The situation is compounded by the fact that BMTC has not raised bus fares since 2014-15, despite inflation and rising operational costs.

This has led to a revenue shortfall exceeding ₹600 crores, which has strained the corporation’s ability to upgrade its fleet and improve service quality.

If these issues remain unaddressed, the public transport system in Bengaluru risks deteriorating further, affecting millions of daily commuters who rely on it for efficient travel.

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