Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy has written to Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, raising strong concerns over the inefficient functioning and lack of accountability among private operators managing electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model in Bengaluru.
At a press conference on Monday (October 27, 2025), Mr. Reddy shared details of his letter, stating that several firms — including NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Tata Motors Limited (TML) Smart City Mobility Solutions, Switch Mobility, and OHM Global Mobility — have “fallen short of service expectations,” resulting in frequent breakdowns, strikes, and commuter inconvenience.
Poor service and operational lapses
While acknowledging the Centre’s push for electric mobility through the FAME-II and CESL schemes, Mr. Reddy said the poor execution and operational inefficiencies of private operators have hurt the reputation of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the city’s image as a leader in public transport innovation.
“The intention behind the electric mobility mission is laudable, but the on-ground performance of these companies has raised serious concerns about service reliability and safety,” Mr. Reddy said.
He pointed out that the operators had failed to maintain proper driver training standards, vehicle maintenance, and manpower deployment, leading to a surge in service cancellations and accidents. In several cases, staffing levels were found to be as low as 1.9 to 2.0 employees per bus, compared to the required 2.3, he added.
E-bus cancellations triple that of diesel buses
According to official data released by the Transport Department, cancellation rates for e-buses under GCC operators are nearly three times higher than BMTC’s conventional diesel fleet.
For instance, TML-operated electric buses reported 3.86% cancellations, while those managed by OHM Global Mobility recorded a steep 10.81%. Frequent battery failures contributed significantly to the service disruptions, with TML alone reporting 2,120 breakdowns between 2023 and 2025.
In comparison, BMTC’s 5,423 diesel buses, which operate over 65,000 trips daily, maintain a remarkably low accident rate of 0.05 per lakh kilometres, while e-buses have registered 0.07 accidents per lakh kilometres, the minister noted.
Strikes and revenue losses
Mr. Reddy also highlighted the issue of recurrent flash strikes by electric bus drivers, often triggered by salary delays and non-payment of festival bonuses. These protests, he said, caused large-scale cancellations and substantial revenue losses.
Between 2024 and 2025, BMTC lost approximately ₹92.90 lakh in revenue due to strikes involving three private operators, resulting in thousands of cancelled trips.
“Systemic negligence and absence of accountability have even resulted in fatalities. Twenty-four fatal accidents were recorded between 2023 and September 2025 under the purview of GCC operators,” Mr. Reddy said, urging for immediate corrective measures.
Call for central review and stricter norms
Seeking the Centre’s intervention, Mr. Reddy requested Mr. Kumaraswamy to initiate a comprehensive performance review of all GCC operators functioning under FAME-II and CESL projects, with a focus on safety compliance, training standards, and maintenance protocols.
He further recommended the inclusion of binding clauses in future tenders, making certified driver training programmes mandatory before deployment, and suggested establishing a joint monitoring mechanism between the Ministry of Heavy Industries and State Transport Utilities (STUs).
“These firms are not merely contractors — they are partners in shaping the future of India’s sustainable mobility. Their accountability must match the ambition of our national goals,” the minister remarked.
Concern over public trust and image
The Transport Minister emphasised that frequent breakdowns and disruptions have damaged public trust in electric mobility initiatives, despite their potential to reduce emissions and operational costs.
He warned that without strong regulatory oversight and contractual discipline, India’s broader electric vehicle (EV) mission risks losing credibility.
“Corrective steps must be taken in the larger interest of commuter welfare and the credibility of India’s e-mobility initiatives,” Mr. Reddy said in conclusion, reaffirming the state’s commitment to improving urban transport while ensuring accountability from private operators.