BMTC to hire 1000 casual drivers to meet shortfall

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Amid a severe shortage of drivers, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has invited tenders from private companies for hiring 1000 temporary drivers. The move comes as the State government is yet to issue orders regarding the recruitment of permanent employees. The corporation had to thus resort to inviting tenders for the purpose.

However, BMTC has also said that the drivers are reluctant to get appointed under private companies. BMTC has 6,800 buses under its purview, out of which only 5,700 buses are currently in service. During Covid, BMTC employees protested asking the government to fulfil their various demands.

About 1,390 people were fired in the wake. While the government had made a decision to reappoint them later, due to various reasons, the re-appointment process was not conducted efficiently. In the wake of the retirement of many employees the shortage of drivers in the corporation became acute.

President of BMTC Drivers Association Anand said, "Temporary employees do not behave properly with passengers. There are many complaints about the drivers appointed for electric buses now. However, giving contracts to private companies is a conspiracy of the corporation. It is an effort to convert the corporation into a private one.”

Shortage in KSRTC Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has also given contracts to three private companies due to shortage of drivers. These companies will provide 350 drivers to KSRTC. KSRTC Managing Director, V Anbukumar, has said that the drivers appointed on contract basis will join duty in a week.