Bus Breakdowns Plaguing BMTC

Well written Sanjay. Beginning around late last year, I too noticed that instances of Bus break down has been on the rise. Before July/Aug last year, I would see a broken down bus not more than 2 times a month (going by recollection). From then, to now, once or twice a week has been the norm. And my observation is coming from the same two routes - Whitefield to HAL, Whitefield to J P Nagar.

There must be a reason - reducing spend on Maintenance? Decision to keep old Buses longer because of equipment shortage? Or increase in good old corruption at depots?

Should probably ask BMTC for data. Or it may even be there in their annual reports. Vinay Sreenivasa recently sent over their annual reports, let me upload those somewhere here.

Here is a report on Breakdowns from last year. Per that article "A BMTC official from the KBS Area said the number can be as high as 20 in a single day for buses departing from his station. "

1865 breakdowns in a 6000 bus fleet is 31% of the fleet. Now this SMRT report around the same period from singapore claims a 1.5% breakdown rate per month which translates to 18% annualized. Which is half of BMTC number.

Correction: The metric in the report for SBS & SMRT only says the bus franchisee has kept up the SLA of 1.5% per month. It does not indicate the actual figures which may be far less than 18% per annum.

Once the JNNURM funs stopped in 2010 or so BMTC didnt procure any buses-the reason said behind the same was there was some tiff between Ashok Leyland/Tata with BMTC regarding levy of penalty and hence they didnt participate in the auction conducted that year-after some days it was reported in the news papers that the penalty has been waived off-but buses didnt enter the city. Then later it was reported that BMTC wanted only BS IV buses but Tata and Ashley hadnt yet equipped themselves so its in waiting

These problems persisiting BMTC shifted its plans of scrapping down the buses on completion of 8 lakh kilometers to 12 lakh kilometers so that they dont face shortage of buses-this has lead to situation of mor eold buses seen running in the city 

Right from july this month there has been continous proposals of 800 buses within this year end-however no bus came and once it was reported again that BMTC planning to take over buses from KSRTC which have completed about 5 lakhs kms-was a complete shock considering that BMTC was already faltering with the old buses and introduction of old buses again will onyl mean more tougher travel

A relief came about 2 days back when 25 buses have been inducted into the fleet along with volvo and a Ashley AC bus(Again one more trial possibly)-so if they scrap up th eoldies in due course with more advent think the problem of breakdowns can be reduced to some extent again 

Once the JNNURM funs stopped in 2010 or so BMTC didnt procure any buses-the reason said behind the same was there was some tiff between Ashok Leyland/Tata with BMTC regarding levy of penalty and hence they didnt participate in the auction conducted that year-after some days it was reported in the news papers that the penalty has been waived off-but buses didnt enter the city. Then later it was reported that BMTC wanted only BS IV buses but Tata and Ashley hadnt yet equipped themselves so its in waiting.

The bus manufacturing industry, being largely dependent on SRTC's and their unprofessional ways, the advancements in the sector have always remained stunted. In such scenario, VOLVO's entry was indeed a bold move. But, they too were able to sustain their operations, initially at least, largely on the basis of patronage from the private players, like VRL, KPN, etc, even though their operations are not totally legal.

The sector is begging for proper policy reforms which will then see it transform to world class, compared to the cattle class status it is relegated to today. And, considering that it is the most cost effective and environment friendly means of mobility, the need is all the more dire.

BMTC has six vehicles capable of fixing minor mechanical faults whenever the buses have stopped and caused traffic jams.

For the full report in the ToI, click here.

The question is about their availability. Perhaps, they too are poorly maintained.

In comparison with other government-run monopolies, perhaps BMTC can be seen as the one-eyed king in the land of the blind. But, if we have to have good services, plainly the monopoly has to go, with entry of good private players being facilitated - check this.

A Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus ran amok on Kumaraswamy Layout Road, hitting several vehicles and injuring nine people, including two children, who were travelling in an autorickshaw. - - - According to one of the passersby, the bus driver started shouting “brake fail” after ramming into two autos in front of Apollo Pharmacy.

For the full text of the report in the New Indian Express, click here.

And, the following are the excerpts from a related report, alsoin the New Indian Exprss (for te full ext, click here)

A highly placed source cited paucity of funds for poor maintenance of buses. The corporation suffered losses in both 2013-14 and 2014-15. Another source said many spare parts were not available.

Unsurprisingly, regular commuters are not a happy lot. “The non-AC buses are in a deplorable condition, with torn seats and broken hand rests. In many buses, the audio announcement system also does not work,” commuter Ratna B S said.

All quite self-explanatory; nothing more need be said, other than that it's more than high time that the BMTC/ KSRTC monopoly is dismantled - check here.
 

Your premise is that under the banner of Volvo, AL, or Tata, human beings suddenly become honest and even competent. All you'll get is BIG bills for replacement of everything they can collude with BMTC to declare defective. [Just my experience with company service stations]

@Vasanth

I am not disagreeing with you. All I am saying is we need to evaluate each carefully and weigh the pros and cons. Yes, company workshops will likely have the best and latest knowhow to maintain their high tech vehicles (at least compared to other workshops - but even this may or may not be true).

Finally, it all boils down to one thing - are the human beings involved honest and sincere? This according to me is KEY in all the discussions here on Praja.

Because if both organizations were trustworthy, why not do routine maintenance at BMTC and go to Volvo for complicated problems?

The over-aged BMTC buses servicing shorter city routes seem to be the only constant in the world's most dynamic city. - - - Protruding metal rods, broken lights, dangling wires, loose poles and missing handles, doors that refuse to shut and window panes that refuse to move are what you find in these ageing city buses.

BMTC's chief traffic manager (operation) K R Viswanath said, "Infrastructural problems have delayed procurement of new buses. Unlike private sector, government organizations need approval from a host of agencies."

- - - Shortage of bus mechanics is another major challenge that BMTC is facing. "The limited number of mechanics we have are constantly shifted to depots where buses needs repair."

For the full text (emphasis added by me) of the report in the ToI, click here.

All in all, a constant struggle, neither benefitting the commuter, the organisation, the state or anyone, except of course the members of the mafia confederation. If opened out to the private sector, everything will reverse, and solve many other inter-linked problems too.

But, the challenge arises out of the mafia confederation members being largely within the government itself.