Karnataka Transport Minister Birati Suresh stopped a BMTC conductor during a surprise inspection of buses in Bengaluru on Sunday. The minister traveled on multiple bus routes across the city and shared videos of his first-hand experience to evaluate passenger services.
“I conducted a spot check by traveling on BMTC buses across Bengaluru to assess first-hand the passenger experience. Ensuring safe, reliable and accountable public transport remains our top priority,” Berathi wrote while posting the videos.
In one of the clips, the minister is seen reprimanding the bus driver for failing to stop the bus at the designated bus stop. He then orders the person recording the video to contact the conductor’s manager, saying they will be suspended.
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Berathi can be heard saying in the video: “Don’t you dare lie to me. Call your manager, and I will suspend you both.”
Several X users also shared an account of another alleged incident involving the minister during a surprise inspection.
According to the posts, the minister took a BMTC bus from Hebbal to Nagashettihalli and asked for two tickets. After Conductor A $100 notes, the latter allegedly requested the exact change.
When the minister said he didn’t have any, the conductor reportedly showed his cash bag, saying he also didn’t have enough cash, and asked the minister to get off the bus if he couldn’t pay the exact fare.
However, HT has been unable to independently verify these claims or confirm whether the incident occurred as described.
Mixed reactions to the minister’s “show of force”
The minister’s post sparked mixed reactions from Bengaluru residents, with many using the opportunity to highlight the broader issues plaguing the city’s public transport system.
While many users praised the surprise inspection, others urged the government to focus on the condition and safety of BMTC buses. One user wrote: “Good job.. how about citizens checking the condition of government provided buses… how safe are they.. PUC check done.. when was the last time maintenance was done on these vehicles etc?”
Another user criticized the minister’s actions, saying: “After seeing the bus in such a bad condition, he should have finished his work instead of showing force.”
But many passengers welcomed the minister’s decision to travel on public buses and interact directly with passengers. “It’s great to see your initiative, keep this up more, BMTC senior officials should have done this more to understand the overall issues,” one user commented.
Many other people also complained about the behavior of some bus staff. One user urged the Transport Minister to ensure conductors treat passengers with respect, writing: “Some conductors are very rude to passengers. Please make them behave with passengers.”
