The four road transport corporations (RTCs), which are in deep financial distress after the outbreak of the pandemic and postponed the induction of new buses to cut down expenses, are now banking on the State Government. They hope that the Government will provide funds to induct 6,000 new buses in the forthcoming Budget.
A senior IAS officer said that RTCs could not augment the fleet size owing to financial distress for over two years, but increasing the size is required considering the future demand.
“RTCs induct new buses every year by removing old buses in the fleet. The corporations have a requirement of 6,000 buses that include 1,000 electric buses (e-buses). A proposal has been made for the induction of 900 e-buses for the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and 50 each for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC). When it comes to diesel buses, the KSRTC and the BMTC need 1,500 each and the rest for NWKRTC and KKRTC,” the official said.
