Bengaluru's BMTC to launch 'express bus service’ on long routes

These non-AC express buses will have fewer stops and slightly higher fares than ordinary buses

Christin Mathew Philip

June 18, 2025 / 15:02 IST

BMTC bus

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation is planning to introduce non-AC “express buses” with fewer stops to reduce travel time on long routes.

Sources said BMTC is likely to launch ‘Vega Dootha’ express services on five routes starting June 21: Ex-KBS-3A (KBS–Attibele), Ex-600F (Banashankari–Attibele), Ex-298M (KBS–Devanahalli), Ex-213V (Banashankari–Harohalli), and Ex-258C (KBS–Nelamangala). The service will have higher fares than ordinary non-AC buses. However, women eligible under the Shakti scheme can travel free on these buses.

“We are charting out more routes to launch limited stop express bus services. For instance, we now run buses to and from Chikkaballapur, but high number of stops increases travel time. The new express buses will have limited stops and will make use of flyovers wherever possible,” A senior BMTC official told Moneycontrol.

Similar demand has emerged from areas such as Attibele, Harohalli, Devanahalli, and Nelamangala. “We are also analysing stage-wise ridership of these routes. Wherever ridership is low, those stops will be skipped in the express service,” he said.

Amogh A, a member of the Friends of BMTC group, welcomed the move. “It’s a welcome step to operate express buses on long-distance routes.” BMTC operates a few services to Attibele as express buses using the Electronics City flyover. The model is useful for people travelling from far-off places like Devanahalli or Nelamangala. “When a bus stops at every stop to pick up and drop passengers, it can take nearly two hours due to city traffic. With express services, commuters can save at least 30 t-35 minutes thanks to less halts,” he said.