Bengaluru’s public transport system is set to add 200 mini-buses to improve last-mile access to Namma Metro stations, with the state government approving funding for the procurement and BMTC expected to float tenders in the coming days.
The proposed fleet will include 100 buses measuring seven metres and another 100 measuring nine metres. The smaller buses are intended for residential neighbourhoods and narrow roads that are difficult for larger vehicles to serve. BMTC managing director Raghunandan Murthy said the seven-metre buses would have seating capacity for 20 to 22 passengers.
“These will be diesel buses. We will float a tender in the coming days after receiving the govt order. It may take around three months to induct the buses after the tendering process is completed,” Murthy said, according to the report.
The plan comes as Namma Metro’s operational network is expected to cross 100 km with the anticipated opening of the elevated stretch from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere. The expansion is increasing the importance of feeder services that can carry passengers between Metro stations, residential areas and local roads.
The mini-bus proposal was discussed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority, BMTC, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, city police and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport. DULT will study feeder-bus requirements across the Metro network and recommend routes based on passenger demand. The assessment will cover both operational corridors and upcoming stretches, including the Pink Line.
Officials said seven-metre buses would be assigned to narrow roads, while nine-metre or 12-metre buses would operate on roads that can accommodate larger vehicles. This route-based deployment is intended to match vehicle size with local road conditions rather than rely on a single bus type across the network.
BMTC is also examining whether automatic fare collection can be introduced on selected feeder routes. Officials said the system may not be practical on every route, particularly where bus stops are close together. It could be considered on routes with longer distances between stops, while conductors are expected to continue collecting fares on most buses.
The new procurement will add to BMTC’s existing nine-metre fleet. Officials said the corporation currently operates around 90 nine-metre electric buses, approximately 250 nine-metre Tata buses and 160 buses manufactured by Ashok Leyland. Several older nine-metre diesel buses introduced from 2012 onwards have crossed their prescribed operational limit of nine lakh kilometres and are due to be phased out.
BMTC had previously operated nine-metre Swaraj Mazda buses, which have since been withdrawn. The corporation also inspected seven-metre buses made by different manufacturers before preparing specifications for urban services. The inspection considered seating capacity, standing headroom, floor height and other operational requirements.
The immediate next step is the issue of the government order followed by BMTC’s tendering process. The corporation expects the buses to be inducted around three months after tendering is completed, while DULT’s route assessment will determine where the feeder services are deployed.
