Public transportation in Bangalore, including BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) buses, resumed operations in June 2021 as Karnataka eased COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The services restarted with a reduced capacity of 50% to ensure social distancing and passenger safety. This move was a significant relief for commuters who rely on BMTC buses for their daily travel within the city.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) also resumed their services alongside BMTC, all adhering to the 50% capacity rule. These transport corporations released official statements emphasizing the importance of passengers following COVID-19 safety guidelines, including wearing masks and maintaining social distance.
BMTC buses are running today in Bangalore 2021: Commuters inside a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus as public transport resumes operations in June 2021 after COVID-19 lockdown relaxations.
Initially, BMTC planned to operate around 2,000 buses on major routes across Bangalore. Services were available from 6 am to 7 pm. This resumption aimed to cater to the essential travel needs of the city’s residents while gradually restoring normalcy after the lockdown.
KSRTC also announced the resumption of its services, starting with a fleet of 3,000 buses. These KSRTC buses operated across Karnataka, excluding Mysuru initially, and also with a 50% seating capacity limit. Inter-state bus services remained suspended at the time, with decisions on resumption to be taken based on further assessments of the situation.
For regular BMTC commuters holding monthly passes issued in April 2021, there was an extension of validity until July 8th, 2021. This provided some convenience and cost savings for frequent bus users during this transition period.
The Bengaluru Metro, or Namma Metro, also joined in resuming operations with 50% capacity. Like BMTC and KSRTC, Metro services strictly enforced COVID-19 appropriate behavior and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by relevant authorities to safeguard passenger health and prevent the spread of the virus.
Therefore, in June 2021, BMTC buses were indeed running in Bangalore, playing a crucial role in reconnecting the city and facilitating movement while adhering to necessary safety protocols during the unlock phase.
