BMTC Staff Blame Spare Parts Shortage for 8 to 10 Daily Bus Breakdowns in Bengaluru
An average of eight to ten Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses are breaking down daily across Bengaluru, stranding commuters and snarling traffic during peak hours, according to bus drivers and mechanics who attribute the disruption to a critical shortage of spare parts persisting for the past three months.
Drivers reported that mechanics at several BMTC depots struggle to carry out routine maintenance due to the deficit of replacement parts. One driver stated that while driving last month, his steering wheel detached in his hands, severely compromising vehicle control. Staff also claimed that drivers who voice these safety concerns are routinely shifted to other duties and prevented from meeting senior authorities to address the mechanical issues.
A BMTC spokesperson dismissed the allegations, stating that the claims are untrue and that minor mechanical problems, including oil leakages, are repaired as soon as they arise. Transport Minister Bytrathi Suresh stated that he was not currently aware of the issue but committed to looking into the matter and conducting the necessary enquiries.
Yogesh Gowda, bus driver and president of the BMTC and KSRTC Bus Drivers' Association, said that in a single depot, between 10 and 25 buses are undergoing maintenance for issues such as brake failures, with worn-out or rusted components remaining in circulation. Gowda alleged that some depots are salvaging usable components from older KSRTC buses to fit onto BMTC vehicles. He highlighted shortages of brake drums, brake liners, rear hubs, bearing grease, rear inner bearings, springs, air bellows, shock absorbers, tyres, wipers, washers, and welding rods, alongside an urgent depot requirement for nearly 18 gearboxes.
Because of the shortages, depots have resorted to procuring components valued under Rs 10,000 from local markets in JC Road and Shivajinagar, Gowda noted. He warned that parts normally require CRT certification from Pune to validate insurance claims during accidents. Furthermore, worn-out front tyres are reportedly being repaired and reused instead of replaced, creating serious safety hazards for passengers and motorists.
The operational strain affects a network operating roughly 5,000 diesel buses and over 1,760 electric buses, serving more than 40 lakh daily passengers. Fuel suppliers have ceased offering a 14-day credit period and now demand upfront payment for diesel. Gowda also cited an RTI response indicating that four state transport corporations face an outstanding deficit of Rs 5,418.57 crore between June 11, 2023, and June 30, 2026, tied to reimbursement shortfalls under the Shakti Yojana.
