Across major urban centres, public transport systems shape daily mobility patterns; in this context, Bengaluru presents a case within India where the question of a clear transit lifeline remains unresolved. While Mumbai relies on its local trains and Delhi on its metro network, Bengaluru's equivalent is less clearly defined.

With a large urban population, Namma Metro cannot yet be considered a primary transport lifeline.

In a city characterised by a strong preference for personal vehicles, the role played by Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses in transporting large numbers of passengers often receives limited attention.

However, BMTC buses continue to face a perception challenge. Given a choice, relatively few residents opt to travel by BMTC's noisy, polluting, and overcrowded buses. This perception is gradually changing as BMTC introduces more comfortable, quieter, and better-equipped buses.

In traffic-congested Bengaluru, BMTC buses serve a wide commuter base ranging from garment factory workers to information technology professionals in the city's technology hubs.

Over the next few years, Bengaluru is expected to significantly expand its city bus fleet, with a large proportion projected to be electric. While this expansion presents potential, it is accompanied by operational concerns.

Unlike diesel buses, which are purchased outright, BMTC leases electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. Under this arrangement, the manufacturer is responsible for operations, including charging infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and service readiness, within a unified contract structure. BMTC pays on a per-kilometre basis and provides the conductor. These contracts typically have a duration of 12 years.

Despite the shift towards electric buses, the system continues to face operational challenges.

Electric buses frequently experience breakdowns related to suspension, steering, and battery systems, in addition to issues such as inadequate maintenance, insufficient driver training, shortages of buses and drivers, and occasional driver strikes. These factors contribute to trip cancellations and revenue losses.

On October 14th, 2025, traffic came to a standstill along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) for more than four hours after an air-conditioned bus broke down near a busy intersection. Efforts to tow the bus using a crane were unsuccessful due to a steering failure. A subsequent traffic police investigation determined that the breakdown was caused by a brake-related issue.

Two weeks later, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy addressed a press conference, stating that electric buses were giving BMTC ''a bad name.'' He subsequently sent two letters to Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), the central public sector undertaking responsible for managing the allocation and oversight of electric bus contract execution.

Reddy called for a comprehensive evaluation of all GCC operators and the establishment of a joint compliance monitoring mechanism between State Transport Undertakings (STUs) and the relevant ministry.

However, nearly six months later, he indicated that most issues remained unresolved.

''We wrote two letters but there's no resolution. The ministry called a meeting with bus manufacturers and gave them a 45-day deadline to fix the issues. But there's been no let-up. We need reliable buses,'' he stated.

According to him, trip cancellations involving electric buses are frequent. ''Out of, for example, assured daily kilometres, they run significantly fewer kilometres,'' he added.

Karnataka has sought clarifications regarding electric bus reliability in upcoming contracts under the PM E-Drive Scheme, through which BMTC is expected to receive additional buses in the coming years.

''We'll have to pay 90% of the lease amount. Manufacturers want an exit clause, but we cannot be left in the lurch,'' Reddy noted.

A senior BMTC official with direct knowledge of electric bus operations identified the root cause of the problem as inaccurate assessments by manufacturers regarding battery capacity requirements, Bengaluru's traffic conditions, and load factors.

''They assumed a certain power requirement (in kWh), and that battery life would be sufficient for a given number of kilometres. However, the power requirement is not being sustained due to the high load factor (80%) and heavy traffic flow,'' the official explained.

While manufacturers have addressed issues related to driver strikes and battery performance to some extent, buses older than three years continue to face persistent problems. Breakdowns remain frequent, the official added.

To offset revenue losses, BMTC imposed a penalty of Rs 250 million (US$ 2.7 million) on the four companies that supplied the electric buses. These penalties are being adjusted against lease payments.

A BMTC staff member at the Subhash Nagar (Majestic) depot explained the operational impact of these technical challenges.

''First-shift buses are scheduled to depart at 6 am, but many electric buses experience delays of up to half an hour, which creates a cascading disruption throughout the day. Traffic conditions further exacerbate the situation,'' he stated.

In contrast, night-service electric buses encounter fewer such issues due to lighter traffic conditions.

The depot is equipped with charging infrastructure for both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses.

A full charge requires up to two hours, while opportunity charging takes around 45 minutes.

The senior BMTC official noted that electric buses are cheaper to operate compared to diesel vehicles.

''What is required are stable operations and improved driver capabilities. Manufacturers must demonstrate professionalism in bus operations and maintenance, including battery and crew management,'' the official stated.

At the same time, the official cautioned that, given the relatively early stage of electric vehicle technology, ''a wait-and-watch approach is necessary.''

An analyst with over two decades of experience tracking the electric vehicle sector observed that only a limited number of manufacturers have been able to deliver high-quality buses.

''In the automotive industry, extensive testing and iterative improvements require considerable time. Manufacturers in India remain at a relatively early stage compared to global players such as BYD, whose systems have undergone long-term testing and deployment in China,'' the analyst explained.

According to the analyst, developing a high-quality product typically requires at least five years of testing. However, in an effort to accelerate market entry, some companies introduce buses before testing is complete.

''As a result, initial batches often encounter issues. These problems tend to persist until improved iterations are introduced. Limited testing may lead manufacturers to underestimate factors such as hardware and software quality, traffic conditions, and load factors,'' he stated.

Many manufacturers have been introducing electric buses rapidly, often relying primarily on workshop-level research and development rather than extensive real-world trials.

''Even if a bus operates annually, it takes time to accumulate meaningful performance data. To validate reliability, vehicles generally need to operate over extended distances under varied load and traffic conditions,'' he added.

Despite these challenges, the analyst stated that transitioning to electric vehicles aligns with broader global efforts related to energy security.

He further noted that leasing is preferable to outright purchase, as it allows manufacturers to be held accountable for operational performance.

''The responsibility for vehicle quality, reliability, and efficiency then rests with the manufacturer or operator. Otherwise, there is a risk that suppliers may compromise on standards,'' he said.

The state government is developing a strategy to address issues related to electric bus operations and intends to raise these concerns with higher authorities, according to NV Prasad, Secretary of the Transport Department.

For a city that relies more heavily on buses than on any other mode of public transport, ensuring the reliable operation of its electric fleet is as important as expanding it.