Bengaluru: Karnataka’s state-owned Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has suspended three of its employees after an internal inquiry found that they allegedly manipulated the UPI-based ticketing system to divert passenger fares into their personal accounts instead of those linked to corporation-issued devices.
The suspensions come in the wake of routine inspections carried out across BMTC depots in December 2025, during which officials detected serious irregularities in the use of UPI scanners introduced as part of the corporation’s digital ticketing initiative. The irregularities raised concerns about revenue leakage and misuse of public trust in one of the city’s most widely used public transport systems.
Irregularities found during routine inspections
According to senior BMTC officials, field officers conducting surprise checks noticed discrepancies between the number of passengers travelling on certain routes and the digital ticketing data recorded in the system. A closer examination revealed that some conductors were collecting fares from passengers using their personal UPI QR codes instead of the scanners officially issued by the corporation.
“During inspection, it was found that the conductors collected fares through their personal UPI scanners and did not issue tickets to passengers,” a BMTC official said on Wednesday. “Some passengers did not insist on tickets, while others may have assumed that there was no ticketing system in place. This loophole was deliberately exploited.”
Amounts diverted range from thousands to over ₹54,000
Preliminary estimates suggest that the amounts diverted by the accused employees range from a little over ₹3,000 to more than ₹54,000, depending on the duration and frequency of the malpractice. Officials said the exact figure would be determined once the financial audit and verification of transaction records are completed.
The misuse is believed to have occurred over multiple trips, with conductors allegedly using their personal mobile phones or QR codes to receive payments directly from passengers, bypassing the BMTC’s revenue system entirely.
Employees suspended after inquiry
Following the detection of irregularities, BMTC ordered a detailed departmental inquiry. The inquiry substantiated the allegations made by field officers, prompting the corporation to initiate immediate disciplinary proceedings.
The suspended staff include two conductors and one driver-cum-conductor attached to BMTC depots in the North East and South zones of Bengaluru. Officials clarified that suspension is a preliminary action pending further disciplinary measures, which could include recovery of diverted funds, penalties or dismissal from service, depending on the outcome of the proceedings.
Digital ticketing aimed at transparency
BMTC introduced UPI-based ticketing as part of a broader push towards digitisation, transparency and ease of travel for commuters. The system allows passengers to pay fares digitally and receive tickets instantly, reducing dependence on cash transactions and improving accountability.
Transport experts noted that while digital systems are designed to minimise human interference, they can still be vulnerable if strict monitoring and enforcement mechanisms are not in place.
“This incident highlights the importance of continuous supervision and audits. Technology can only be as effective as the checks that support it,” a public transport analyst said.
Instructions issued to prevent recurrence
In response to the incident, BMTC has issued strict instructions to all depot managers to closely monitor the use of officially issued UPI scanners. Staff have been directed to ensure that all fare collections are carried out only through authorised devices and that tickets are issued for every passenger, without exception.
Senior officials have also been instructed to intensify inspections, including surprise checks on buses across all zones, to prevent similar violations in the future. The corporation is reportedly considering additional safeguards, such as device-level tracking and real-time alerts for unusual transaction patterns.
Passenger awareness also crucial
BMTC officials stressed that passenger awareness plays a key role in preventing such malpractices. Commuters have been urged to insist on receiving tickets after making digital payments and to ensure that payments are made only through BMTC-issued QR codes displayed on ticketing machines.
“Passengers should check whether the payment is going to a BMTC account and always ask for a ticket. Public cooperation is essential to safeguard public money,” an official said.
Conclusion
The suspension of three BMTC employees for allegedly diverting UPI-based ticket fares into personal accounts has once again brought the spotlight on the challenges of implementing digital systems in large public transport networks. While BMTC has acted swiftly by ordering suspensions and tightening monitoring mechanisms, the incident underscores the need for constant vigilance, robust audits and commuter awareness to ensure that public funds are protected and digital initiatives achieve their intended goals.