The corporation is preparing a new version of the Namma BMTC mobile application that is expected to provide tracking information for all buses across the city and could be launched within a week. The authority also expects to enable the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) across BMTC services in the same timeframe so that Namma Metro cardholders with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) issued NCMC cards can use them on BMTC buses.
The minister instructed BMTC to deploy 200 mini air-conditioned electric buses as feeder services for the Metro, drawn from a fleet of 4,500 electric buses being procured under the Centre's PM E-DRIVE scheme. These vehicles are to operate within a five-kilometre radius of Metro stations and will connect stations with residential layouts and neighbourhoods that are difficult to serve with larger buses. The move is aimed at improving first- and last-mile connectivity and encouraging more commuters to use public transport.
Suresh also directed officials to examine deployment of additional air-conditioned buses for information technology and technology company campuses to reduce reliance on private vehicles and to hold discussions with employers on providing such services. He asked officials to take steps to prevent revenue leakage and curb wastage across state-owned transport corporations, and to implement tighter controls to improve operational efficiency and limit losses.