BMTC electric bus drivers employed by Tata Motors in Bengaluru protest non payment of salaries

Officials clarified that only drivers from Depot Number 3, who are employed by Tata Motors, the company operating electric buses for BMTC, are protesting

BMTC is running electric buses operated by Tata Motors, which will supply, operate, and maintain the 12-metre electric buses for 12 years.  | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

Drivers of electric buses affiliated with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Depot Number 3 staged a protest on Tuesday, alleging that the private company operating the electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model had not paid their salaries.

Officials clarified that only drivers from Depot Number 3, who are employed by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited subsidiaryof Tata Motors, the company operating electric buses for BMTC, are protesting. “These drivers are private employees. Their salaries are paid by the private company, not by the BMTC. There was no disruption in bus services due to this protest,” an official said.

BMTC is running electric buses operated by Tata Motors, which will supply, operate, and maintain the 12-metre electric buses for 12 years. As per the agreement, the BMTC will deploy conductors and compensate Tata Motors at a rate of ₹41 per km. Tata Motors will be responsible for providing drivers and for the maintenance of the fleet.

“Fully electric buses are being operated from Depot 3 and a total of 113 schedules are to be operated. However, on May 14 due to the protest by the drivers over the difference in payment of wages, there were variations in the operation of schedules in 27 shifts and 46 regular shifts from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Later the representatives of TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited and company officials have discussed with the drivers and the operations were back to normal after 11 a.m.,” the BMTC stated in a release.

“The BMTC is not responsible for any interruption in the operation of schedules in Depot 3. Regarding the interruption in operations, a notice has been issued to TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited by the BMTC and systematic measures will be taken to ensure that the buses are operated by other depots during the interruption of operations so that there is no inconvenience to passengers,” the release added.

The Hindu has reached out to Tata Motors for a reaction regarding this issue. However, as of the time of publication, there was no response.