With the Namma Metro Yellow Line to Electronics City still awaiting launch, BMTC’s NICE Road express buses have emerged as a game-changer for Bengaluru’s daily commuters. Since their debut in December 2023, these buses have seen a six-fold increase in monthly ridership — from 62,000 to over 4 lakh commuters.
Currently, 53 BMTC buses operate across 17 routes on the NICE corridor, clocking 13,000+ daily riders. Revenue has more than doubled in just over a year, with earnings per kilometre jumping from ₹26.1 to ₹58.8, according to GT Prabhakar Reddy, BMTC’s chief traffic manager (operations).
One of the most popular services is the non-stop express route covering 48 km between Madavara and Electronics City. In response to demand, BMTC has launched additional links, including Tavarekere–Electronics City, and plans to introduce 10 AC buses on this stretch.
Passengers cite faster travel time and avoidance of city-centre congestion as major draws. A one-way fare from Madavara to Electronics City costs ₹76, inclusive of a ₹30 toll levied by NICE. Though BMTC requested a toll waiver for public buses, the proposal was declined.
Meanwhile, BMRCL’s ₹7,000 crore Yellow Line project — intended to connect RV Road to Bommasandra — remains stalled, pending safety clearance for its signalling system. Repeated delays have eroded public confidence, making BMTC’s reliable NICE Road services an essential transit option for the city’s IT workforce.