4,500 electric buses to be procured for Bengaluru; ₹2,000 crore loan to upgrade bus infrastructure across Karnataka

An electric bus. The State Government is expected to spend ₹600 crore annually on the project, with the total expenditure estimated to be around ₹12,000 crore over 20 years. | Photo Credit: File photo The State Government has decided to take a loan of ₹2,000 crore from the Central Government to strengthen public transport infrastructure across Karnataka. The funds will be used to construct new bus depots across the State and upgrade existing bus stations, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said.The decision is part of a series of measures aimed at improving public transport services and expanding the State’s bus fleet, Mr Suresh said on September 4. The government has secured approval to procure 4,500 electric buses for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), in what the Transport Minister described as a significant decision for the State’s transport sector.The electric buses will be procured under the Central Government’s PM E-DRIVE programme. The State Government is expected to spend ₹600 crore annually on the project, with the total expenditure estimated to be around ₹12,000 crore over 20 years.Of the 4,500 electric buses, 3,800 will be 12-metre buses and 900 will be nine-metre buses. Around 400 of the buses will be air-conditioned. The buses will be manufactured and supplied by vehicle manufacturers in phases and gradually introduced on Bengaluru’s roads, he said.“The government expects the increased use of electric buses to help reduce pollution in Bengaluru while providing an expanded public transport network for commuters. The Centre will facilitate the supply of the buses through various manufacturers, with the BMTC paying a fixed amount per kilometre for their operation,” he added.‘Marginal revision of fares’The government is considering a marginal revision of bus fares. A committee headed by retired IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari is studying the issue and is expected to submit its report shortly. The Minister has indicated that any fare revision will be kept minimal to avoid placing an additional burden on commuters.The State Government has also announced plans to distribute free ‘Shakti’ smart cards to more than one crore women under its free bus travel scheme, with the exercise expected to cost ₹250 crore, according to the Minister. Published - September 04, 2026 05:14 pm IST