Karnataka transport minister opposes private buses in Bengaluru, says they prioritise profit over public service

Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on October 14 opposed suggestions by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai to allow private bus operators in Bengaluru, saying private providers focus on profit and operate only on financially viable routes.

“Private transport providers focus on profit and run buses only on routes that are financially viable. No public transport system in the world runs for profit; it is a service supported by government incentives and aimed at benefiting the public,” Reddy said.

Responding to suggestions by Surya, Pai, and Yulu co-founder RK Misra at a MoveInSync symposium to privatise city buses, Reddy said they "have never used public transport" and "lack basic understanding" of how it works.

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Bengaluru’s lifeline, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), serves around 48 lakh commuters every day. “With a population of around 1.44 crore, about one-third of Bengaluru’s residents rely on BMTC buses,” Reddy added. He said that public transport is a core component of a welfare state, and the government has a responsibility to maintain, develop, and expand these services.

The minister said that public transport is essential for the working class, poor, and middle-class residents who rely heavily on BMTC services. He warned that private interventions and biased criticism often reflect a capitalist mentality that neglects public welfare.

Reddy also shared comparative data, noting that while Karnataka has 26,054 buses for a population of 6.84 crore- around 3.81 buses per 1,000 people-BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Odisha have far fewer buses per capita. He said this highlights the need for improved public transport systems nationwide.

He outlined the achievements of the Karnataka government in transport over the past two years and five months, including the recruitment of 10,000 staff, the addition of 5,800 new buses, the construction of new depots and bus stops, and the introduction of labour welfare schemes such as Rs 1 crore accident insurance and cashless medical facilities.

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