The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has hit a home run with its premium bus service along NICE Road, proving to be a major success. Since its launch in December 2023, this efficient route, designed to offer quick connections between Tumakuru Road and Electronics City, has transported over 3.76 million passengers and raked in an impressive ₹17.13 crore in revenue within its first year.
Affectionately known as NICE-10, this service masterfully links Madavara on Tumakuru Road with the bustling Electronics City, utilizing the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) Road, which connects Tumakuru Road to Hosur Road. According to officials, leveraging this tolled thoroughfare has allowed BMTC buses to deftly sidestep some of Bengaluru’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, quickly establishing NICE-10 as the go-to option for professionals commuting to the city’s prominent IT hub.
Impressive Growth and Performance
By its first anniversary in December 2024, NICE-10 had already served over 2.5 million passengers, turning a profit of ₹1.09 crore. Recent figures, spanning July 2024 to August 2025 and obtained by The Hindu, reveal remarkable growth: the service now runs 26 daily schedules, completing 168 trips and covering over 3.11 million kilometers. During this period, it successfully transported 3,766,702 passengers, generating a substantial revenue of ₹171,362,527.
“NICE-10 has undeniably become the standout BMTC service along NICE Road,” stated a senior official. “While other routes connect areas like Vijayanagar, Vidyaranyapura, and Basaveshwaranagar, none come close to matching the impressive passenger numbers seen on the NICE-10 corridor.”
Cutting Down Commute Times, Boosting Efficiency
A key factor driving its soaring popularity is the significantly reduced travel time. “Commuters enjoy a swift 45 to 60-minute journey on NICE-10, a stark contrast to the lengthy delays often encountered on Bengaluru’s perpetually congested city streets. This time-saving advantage makes it an obvious choice for passengers,” another senior official commented.
BMTC estimates that approximately 300,000 individuals rely on this route monthly. The buses cover an impressive 360 km daily on NICE Road, far surpassing the mere 200 km they manage on choked city routes, where efficiency is severely hampered. This smoother flow on NICE Road also translates to superior fuel economy; buses achieve 5 km per liter on this stretch, whereas city travel averages a lower 3 km per liter, an official disclosed.
Commuters Laud the Convenient Service
Passengers are vocal about how the NICE-10 service has positively revolutionized their daily commutes. Manoj Kumar, a regular traveler from Nagasandra, enthusiastically shared, “This service is an absolute game-changer. I cut nearly an hour off my commute every single day compared to battling the usual city traffic, and the ride itself is far more relaxed and enjoyable.”
Praveen Sharma, another loyal commuter between Madavara and Electronics City, highlighted the service’s key strength: “Its reliability is unmatched. I no longer dread being caught in unpredictable traffic jams. It ensures I get to work promptly and, crucially, without the usual stress.”
A Call for Better Bus Shelters
However, amidst the overwhelming positive feedback, regular passengers have identified a critical flaw in the NICE-10 service: the glaring absence of adequate bus shelters along the NICE Road. With no proper waiting areas, many commuters find themselves enduring the elements, exposed to harsh sun or heavy rain while awaiting their bus.
Santosh N., who catches the bus daily near the Bannerghatta Road toll gate, described the predicament as “difficult.” He stated, “The service itself is fantastic, but the wait can be a real ordeal. Standing by the roadside without any protection from the heat or rain is both draining and potentially hazardous. BMTC absolutely needs to construct proper bus stops along this route to ensure passengers can wait in comfort and safety.”
When questioned about this pressing issue, BMTC officials admitted the problem but explained that a solution requires joint effort with the private road operator. “We must engage in constructive discussions with NICE authorities before any concrete decisions regarding the installation of bus shelters can be made,” an official clarified.