In an attempt to crack down on illegal private bus operations that are eating into the revenue of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), the Transport Department is exploring the feasibility of installing GPS devices in each bus.
Most of the private bus operators have a contract carriage permit that allows them to pick up a group of passengers from a fixed point and drop them at a pre-determined destination. However, these buses operate like stage carriages and pick up passengers from several different spots.
According to department officials, many buses that have intercity permits don’t operate on the routes and instead make a profit picking up passengers within the city limit. For example, a bus which has a licence to operate between Hosur and Tumakuru will never leave Bengaluru for either destination.
This is where the GPS will come in handy. To record such permit violations and submit proof for action against these operators, the Transport Department is now planning to make GPS devices mandatory.
“We can detect route deviations. These buses just keep roaming around the city picking up passengers, which is a violation of permit conditions,” a senior department official said.
While permit cancellation for violators is a possibility, it is seldom practised, said officials. The Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules allow for a fine to be imposed in lieu of cancellation of the permit and the maximum fine imposed is Rs. 1,500.
Private buses operate like stage carriages and pick up passengers from different spots
