Bengaluru: More than half of BMTC’s fleet could be electric within 18 months, with the state cabinet Thursday approving induction of 4,500 e-buses under the Centre’s PM E-DRIVE scheme.The addition, combined with replacement of ageing vehicles, is expected to expand BMTC’s fleet from around 7,000 buses to nearly 11,000 in 18 months. BMTC operates 1,700 e-buses under the gross cost contract (GCC) model.The Centre will provide the 4,500 buses, while the State will extend Rs 600 crore annually to BMTC as viability gap funding. BMTC is, however, expected to face an annual shortfall of around Rs 1,000 crore in operating the expanded electric fleet and will have to meet the remaining gap through its own resources.Union minister for heavy industries HD Kumaraswamy told TOI: “Bengaluru is growing rapidly. To strengthen the city’s public transport system, the Centre has made the highest allocation of buses under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The induction of 4,500 e-buses will help reduce congestion and provide environmental benefits. The Centre is ready to provide more e-buses if BMTC requires them.”Under the GCC model, private operators will supply and run buses, while BMTC will pay them on a per-kilometre basis. The 4,500 buses will include 3,500 non-air-conditioned 12-metre buses, 300 air-conditioned 12-metre buses, 600 non-air-conditioned nine-metre buses and 100 air-conditioned nine-metre buses.Once agreements are finalised, the first batch of buses is expected to arrive in six months, with the entire fleet inducted over the following year. BMTC currently retires around 500 to 600 old buses annually.Earlier assessments by BMTC had indicated that the cost of operating e-buses under GCC could exceed the revenue generated, prompting it to seek assistance. The Rs 600-crore fund is expected to bridge part of the deficit.The Centre had completed the tender process in Dec 2025, but the state took several months to approve BMTC’s participation in the central scheme amid concerns over financial implications and operational efficiency.Transport minister Byrathi Suresh said the govt had decided to raise Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre to strengthen transport infrastructure across Karnataka, including construction of new depots and upgrading bus stands.He said more than 1 crore women would shortly receive smart cards under the Shakti scheme, with the first phase expected to cost around Rs 250 crore.++++++WHAT BMTC PAYS* Rs 62 per km for 12-metre non-AC buses, Rs 55 for nine-metre buses* Rs 70 per km for AC buses under likely 12-year contracts* Buses to run 200km a day* BMTC to recruit more conductors, plan 30 to 35 depots to operate and maintain new fleet* Will provide conductors and handle ticketing+++++Bus fare revision soonOn a possible fare revision, transport minister Byrathi Suresh said fuel prices had increased four times in eight months. A committee headed by retired IAS officer Atul Tiwari is expected to submit its report shortly. Bus fares, he said, would be increased marginally without placing an additional burden on the public.
