BMTC may be flouting the rules under which it obtained the stage carriage transport permit. Permit holders have to transport the public along designated routes, but BMTC is plying buses exclusively for a few IT companies during peak hours, alleges the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners’ Associations. The Federation has written a letter to the State Transport Department Commissioner, dated April 10, 2012, complaining that BMTC is flouting the rules of the permit. It has demanded that the Transport Department take action against BMTC for having dedicated buses for nine IT companies. They also alleged that most of these buses are new buses and some are Volvo buses.
Transport Commissioner T. Sham Bhatt told Deccan Chronicle: “First we have to verify with BMTC if they are engaged in such activities. We have already written to BMTC and we are waiting to get details from them. On the stage carriage permit, one cannot cancel the designated bus route and operate for companies. If the corporation wants to run buses for companies, it must have a public service vehicles (PSV) permit.
If BMTC is plying buses for private companies, they will have to take PSV permits. Buses with PSV permits cannot be used for plying general passengers.” If BMTC denies it is providing buses to private companies, the Transport Department will do a reality check. The Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners' Associations has also alleged that BMTC has dedicated about 2,000 buses for transporting IT-BT employees.
“BMTC buses are being purchased from the funds sanctioned by the Union Government, so how can the corporation engage in such activities? In peak hours, when most office goers take buses for commuting, the frequency of buses decreases. This is because a large number of buses are engaged with IT companies,” said a federation member.