BMTC is preparing to share real-time bus data with third-party mobility platforms in Bengaluru, a move that could make bus information easier to access and help commuters plan journeys combining public transport with metro, autorickshaw and other services.
The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation is in discussions with Namma Yatri, Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Tummoc for the first phase of the initiative, according to officials. Once the integration is completed, passengers are expected to be able to access updated BMTC information through these applications and track buses while planning their journeys.
A senior BMTC official said the corporation was discussing the sharing of transit information with the three platforms. The official said the integration could allow Namma Yatri to include BMTC bus services and Namma Metro connections in its journey-planning features. Namma Yatri operates on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
BMTC is expected to provide information on its routes, bus stops, schedules and fares in the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) format. GTFS is an internationally recognised standard used to publish public transport information for integration into digital applications. The format can provide developers and mobility service providers with operational details needed to build journey-planning and transport information services.
The absence of integrated BMTC data has limited the ability of mobility platforms to show complete travel options, particularly for passengers who use buses to reach Namma Metro stations, railway stations and other destinations. With access to the data, platforms such as Tummoc and Namma Yatri could show combinations involving a BMTC bus, a metro journey and an autorickshaw connection within a single planning interface.
The initiative also has implications for airport access. BIAL could use the data for Vayu Vajra airport bus services through BLR Pulse, its official mobile application for airport passengers and other users. Bus routes and schedules made available through the application could help passengers plan journeys to and from Kempegowda International Airport.
BMTC’s proposed data-sharing framework follows the model already used by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL shares transit information with third-party mobility applications in GTFS format, allowing users to access metro-related details through external platforms, including routes, schedules and station information.
The move comes as BMTC has upgraded its own digital services through the Namma BMTC Mobile App 2.0. The application brings together ticket and digital-pass purchases, route planning, real-time bus tracking and Namma Metro ticket purchases. The proposed integration with external platforms would extend access to BMTC information beyond its own application and support connections between different transport services.
BMTC has not announced a final date for completing the integrations. The next step is the completion of discussions and technical integration with Namma Yatri, BIAL and Tummoc, after which commuters are expected to access BMTC’s transit information through the participating platforms.
