In a remarkable move to ascertain the quality of public transport services firsthand, the Transport Minister of Karnataka, Byrathi Suresh conducted a surprise inspection of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses late Saturday evening. However, the catch came as he went incognito as an ordinary commuter.

To avoid being recognised, he wore a face mask and spent as much as two hours shuttling across the city, from 7:10 pm to 9:10 pm. During this, he boarded more than 11 buses operating under the BMTC, purchased tickets like ordinary passengers and interacted with fellow commuters to comprehend the challenges they encountered during their daily journeys. 

He covered several key areas of India’s Silicon Valley, such as Jayamahal, RT Nagar, Hebbal, Nagavara, Hennur and Geddalahalli, by means of public transport to evaluate service standards and the conduct of the staff.

Driver, conductor suspended over unruly conduct

After the Minister noticed a dereliction in duties by the driver and the conductor of a bus, he initiated disciplinary action. He directed that the duo, attached to the KA 57 F 3372 be suspended after they failed to halt at the Fun World Bus stop, even as a passenger signalled them to alight. 

Post-suspension, the Minister emphasised that commuters should not be inconvenienced due to negligence or indifference on the part of transport staff. 

Minister Suresh faces usual cash-change issue during travel

Another highlight of the Minister’s covert operation came to pass when he experienced one of the most common complaints raised by BMTC passengers. While travelling on a bus shuttling between Hebbal and Nagashettyhalli, the conductor allegedly asked him to get off after he gave him a Rs 100 note, claiming there was no change available to return the balance fare. 

Minister pulls up auto-rickshaw driver over exorbitant demand for fare

Suresh’s inspection refused to cease after inspecting the BMTC buses. At Nagashettyhalli, he then intervened in a dispute involving an auto-rickshaw driver, who had allegedly been demanding Rs 36 as fare from a passenger, despite the fare meter displaying Rs 30. Minister Suresh reprimanded the driver and directed him to adhere strictly to the metered fare, reiterating that the passengers should not be overcharged under any circumstances. 

Towards the end of the covert inspection, Minister Suresh said such unannounced checks would be conducted across the state capital Bengaluru in the future too, so that accountability could be improved and the quality of public transport can be enhanced.