BMTC to sell 100 of its old buses to NWKRTC

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The BMTC has been selling its old but still in ‘good condition’ buses to the NWKRTC (North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation) while charging Rs 1 lakh per bus. Out of a total of 100 buses, 25 of them have already been sent to Hubballi.

The rest of them will be handed over to the NWKRTC in a phased manner. The NWKRTC’s initial request was to provide the buses free of cost. Like many other transport departments, NWKRTC has been going through the consequences of the pandemic as well as the rising prices of fuel and other operational costs, which has led to a postponement in the induction of buses to increase its fleet and services.

They have had to look for cheaper alternatives, leading them to the doors of BMTC. After receiving a request from the sister corporation, the BMTC presented the matter to the board that approved 100 buses to be transferred at a rate of Rs 1 lakh per bus.

The 100 buses have operated in the city limits for a distance of 8.5 lakh to 9.5 lakh kilometres. The technical staff of NWKRTC have inspected the purchased buses and deemed them fit to be operated.

The purchased buses are already being used for city transportation in Hubballi and will be soon deployed in Dharwad, Belagavi and other areas. However, this is only a temporary fix. NWKRTC has said that its primary goal remains to induct new buses. It has approached the state government seeking permission to expand its fleet.