Bengaluru, Karnataka (October 15):
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has strongly opposed suggestions by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and former Infosys CFO T.V. Mohandas Pai to end the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) monopoly on city bus services. He asserted that public transport must remain under government control to ensure accessibility and affordability for the common public.

The Minister’s comments came during a press conference on October 14, following remarks made at a symposium organised by MoveInSync, where Mr. Surya, Mr. Pai, and Yulu co-founder R.K. Misra had proposed opening up city bus services to private players.

Minister rebukes privatisation advocates

Responding sharply, Mr. Reddy said those calling for privatisation “have never travelled by public transport” and “lack an understanding of how it functions.” He added, “They speak of ending BMTC’s monopoly without any real experience of using public buses. They believe they have solutions for every issue in society without subject knowledge.”

The Minister highlighted that BMTC serves as a lifeline for labourers, office workers, and middle-income residents across Bengaluru. “The corporation’s focus is not profit but service — ensuring mobility for every section of society,” he said.

Shakti scheme shows success of welfare-driven transport

Citing the success of the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to women across Karnataka, Mr. Reddy said, “Over 570 crore women have benefitted from the scheme so far. This demonstrates how a welfare-oriented approach can empower citizens and improve daily lives.”

The Minister maintained that privatising city bus services would primarily hurt those who depend most on affordable public transport. “Private operators are profit-driven and will only run services on lucrative routes. BMTC, in contrast, operates on the principle of service, ensuring even less profitable routes are covered for the public good,” he explained.

‘Public transport must serve people, not profit’

Mr. Reddy also underscored that globally, public transport systems are not designed to make money but to serve social and economic needs. “Across the world, no public transport body operates solely for profit. Governments have a duty to promote and protect such systems for citizens’ welfare,” he said.

He further stated that the Karnataka government remains committed to strengthening BMTC’s fleet, expanding services to suburban areas, and improving commuter experience through digital ticketing, new buses, and infrastructure upgrades.

Conclusion

The debate over the role of private participation in Bengaluru’s public transport continues, but the Minister’s remarks underline the government’s firm stance that BMTC will remain a state-run service dedicated to equitable access rather than market competition.

Tags: Bengaluru bus service privatisation debate, Karnataka Shakti scheme transport,