Karnataka’s Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, has voiced strong concerns to Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, highlighting the ‘poor performance and blatant lack of accountability’ among private companies managing electric buses in Bengaluru under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model.
During a press conference on Monday, Mr. Reddy revealed that several operators, including NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Tata Motors Limited (TML) Smart City Mobility Solutions, Switch Mobility, and OHM Global Mobility, have consistently failed to meet expected service standards. This shortfall has resulted in an unfortunate wave of breakdowns, frequent driver strikes, and significant inconvenience for daily commuters.
While acknowledging the Central government’s commendable efforts to promote electric mobility through initiatives like FAME-II and CESL, Mr. Reddy lamented that the poor operational efficiency of these companies is damaging the reputation of both the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the city itself as a forward-thinking metropolis.
Key issues include a severe lack of structured training for drivers, substandard vehicle maintenance, and a noticeable shortage in manpower. Operators are deploying as few as 1.9 to 2.0 employees per bus, falling short of the required 2.3. These critical lapses have directly led to service disruptions and a distressing increase in road accidents.
Electric Bus Cancellations Are Triple That of BMTC Diesel Buses
Data presented by Mr. Reddy painted a stark picture: the cancellation rate for GCC-operated electric buses was almost three times higher than that of BMTC’s traditional diesel fleet. For example, TML’s electric buses reported a 3.86% cancellation rate, while OHM’s buses reached an alarming 10.81%. Breakdowns, particularly due to battery failures, were also rampant, with TML alone reporting 2,120 incidents between 2023 and 2025.
In contrast, Mr. Reddy noted that BMTC’s diesel buses, which collectively undertake over 65,000 trips daily with 5,423 vehicles, maintain a remarkably low accident rate of 0.05 per lakh kilometre. The electric bus fleet, however, records a higher rate of 0.07 accidents per lakh kilometres.
Adding to the woes, the Transport Minister highlighted the frequent ‘flash strikes’ by electric bus drivers, often protesting salary delays and unpaid festival bonuses. These strikes have led to widespread service cancellations and substantial revenue losses. Between 2024 and 2025, the BMTC reportedly lost ₹92.90 lakh in revenue from just three private operators due to these labor disputes, with thousands of scheduled trips being scrapped.
“Systemic negligence and a complete absence of accountability have even contributed to tragic fatalities,” Mr. Reddy stated, revealing that 24 fatal accidents were recorded from 2023 to September 2025 under the watch of GCC operators.
Call for Comprehensive Performance Review
Pleading for the Centre’s immediate intervention, Mr. Reddy urged Mr. Kumaraswamy to initiate a comprehensive performance review of all GCC operators involved in FAME-II and CESL projects. He emphasized the critical need to focus on safety compliance and the quality of driver training.
Furthermore, he proposed that future tenders should include mandatory, binding clauses for certified driver training programs before any deployment. He also advocated for a joint monitoring mechanism involving both the Ministry of Heavy Industries and State Transport Utilities to strictly ensure adherence to crucial safety and service benchmarks.
“Corrective steps are absolutely essential,” Mr. Reddy concluded, “in the broader interest of commuter welfare and to uphold the credibility of India’s vital e-mobility initiatives.”