Karnataka transport minister writes to Centre, raises alarm over poor performance of e-buses under lease model

Karnataka transport minister writes to Centre, raises alarm over poor performance of e-buses under lease model

Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy on October 27 raised alarm over the deteriorating operational standards of electric bus services run by private operators under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model in Bengaluru.

In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy, Reddy detailed widespread issues including frequent breakdowns, driver strikes, and mounting safety concerns, urging the Centre to intervene and initiate corrective measures.

While appreciating the national push for electric mobility, Reddy expressed urgent concern over poor service discipline among operators such as NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Tata Motors Ltd, Switch Mobility, and OHM Global Mobility.

E-buses face three times more breakdowns than diesel fleet

Under the lease model, these firms not only supply and maintain the electric buses but also deploy drivers, while the BMTC pays them on a per-kilometre basis.The minister’s letter highlights alarming statistics - electric buses are witnessing up to three times more cancellations and breakdowns than BMTC’s diesel fleet.

“Recurring problems include insufficient driver training, frequent maintenance lapses, and inadequate staffing - with actual personnel deployment dropping to about 1.9 to 2 per bus, below the stipulated 2.3 - adversely impacting safety and reliability,” the letter stated.

Citing official data, Reddy told reporters that battery-related breakdowns have surged, and penalties imposed on errant operators have exceeded Rs 10 crore since 2023–24.

Calls for Centre-led performance review

“The Centre should initiate a performance review of all GCC operators under schemes such as FAME II, CESL, and Smart City projects. It should make certified and comprehensive driver training mandatory in future tenders and establish a compliance monitoring mechanism jointly led by State Transport Utilities and the Ministry to uphold safety and service benchmarks,” said Reddy.

Reddy urged swift action to safeguard commuter welfare and restore public confidence in Bengaluru’s e-mobility drive. “We are getting unnecessary blame for the faults in e-buses,” he said.Strikes, rash driving and safety lapses plague operations“

Mobile phone usage and rash driving incidents among drivers continue to pose safety risks. Additionally, drivers have held multiple flash strikes, often over salary and festival bonuses, resulting in cancelled schedules, significant losses in ticket revenue, and public inconvenience,” the minister said.

The letter documents dozens of such strikes across operators in 2024 and 2025, with fatalities linked to systemic negligence reaching an 'incomprehensible' level - 35 in just the first half of 2025, according to Reddy.

Comparing electric bus operators to BMTC’s diesel fleet, Reddy highlighted the stark contrast in operational reliability and accident rates, pressing for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms.