November 6, 2025

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is facing a spicy scandal! Nine officials have been suspended after accusations surfaced that they accepted bribes from bus drivers reporting for duty while drunk. According to BMTC authorities, these suspensions are temporary, pending a full inquiry. The trouble started at BMTC Depot-35, where some electric bus drivers showed up drunk. "An internal investigation is going on into this allegation that some officials were taking bribes running into several thousand rupees from such drivers to allow them to be assigned duty, in violation of safety and operational rules," said a senior BMTC official. BMTC rules clearly say depot authorities must do strict alcohol checks before allowing drivers to start work. If any driver is found intoxicated, they must be stopped from driving immediately. This incident shines a light on bigger worries about BMTC's electric bus service. Recently, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy openly criticized the poor performance and lack of responsibility shown by private operators managing these buses under the gross cost contract model. In a letter to the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Reddy expressed deep concern over rising accidents, frequent breakdowns, driver strikes, and many passenger complaints tied to the electric bus fleet. With safety at stake and growing public complaints, BMTC’s troubles are far from over. Will these suspensions bring clean roads and safe journeys? Time will tell.

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Tags: Bmtc, Electric buses, Bribery, Alcohol Checks, Driver Suspension, Ramalinga Reddy,