BMTC examines seven-metre buses for Metro feeder routes on narrow roads

BMTC is inspecting seven-metre midi- and mini-bus models as it prepares to run 200 electric feeder buses within a 5-km radius of Namma Metro stations.

The smaller vehicles are intended for narrow roads and residential layouts where standard 12-metre buses are difficult to operate. The plan is part of the 4,500 electric buses approved for BMTC, including the 200 mini AC buses planned for Metro last-mile links.

Two BMTC midi buses caught fire about 10 days apart in January and February 2022. Investigations found that the fires began in the engine area, and a later assessment linked them to loose starter parts that caused a short circuit. BMTC inspected the fleet before returning buses to service.

BMTC is also assessing operating costs. Smaller buses carry fewer passengers but require similar driver and conductor staffing as larger vehicles. Under the gross-cost contract model, BMTC pays operators a fixed per-kilometre rate, including on feeder routes with low ridership. The corporation is examining models that can operate on constrained streets along expanding Metro corridors.