BENGALURU, 27 OCT

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has urged Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy to review the performance of private operators managing electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, citing 'safety lapses' and 'poor service standards' in the City’s e-mobility network.

In a letter dated 25 October, Reddy raised concerns over operators functioning under central schemes such as FAME II, CESL, Smart City, and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023–24.

Under CESL’s GCC model, private firms own, operate, and maintain buses, while City authorities pay a per-kilometre fee. While lauding the green mobility initiative, Reddy said he wrote with pressing concern about 'operational inefficiency and lack of service discipline' among key operators like NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Tata Motors, Switch Mobility, and OHM Global Mobility.

He alleged these firms failed to address issues such as driver training gaps, poor maintenance, frequent breakdowns, and battery-related faults, leading to accidents and flash strikes. Reddy also noted operators were deploying only 1.9–2.0 staff per bus against the required 2.3, hurting BMTC’s reputation.

BMTC currently operates 7,067 buses, including 1,644 electric, running 65,000 daily trips. While diesel buses have an accident rate of 0.05 per lakh km, e-buses record 0.07, he added.

Reddy urged the Centre to conduct a performance audit of GCC operators under FAME II and CESL, focusing on safety compliance and driver training. He also recommended mandatory certified training protocols and a joint monitoring mechanism between the Ministry and State Transport Utilities to ensure adherence to safety benchmarks.