Bengaluru Transport Minister and Former Infosys CFO Spar Over Private Bus Operators
In a heated exchange on social media platform X, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai have clashed over the contentious issue of permitting private bus operators in Bengaluru. The debate centers on whether private players should be allowed to run bus services in the city, with Pai accusing the state government of failing to expand the bus fleet adequately, while Reddy defends the public sector's role in ensuring equitable transport access.
Mohandas Pai's Critique of Government Monopoly
Mohandas Pai took to X to voice his frustration, alleging that the state government has not increased Bengaluru's bus fleet over the past three years. He suggested that allowing private operators could help meet the city's growing transport demands. In a direct post targeting Minister Reddy, Pai wrote, "As a minister, you thoroughly failed to ensure adequate public transport because of your dogmatic attitude, saying only PSU works. Why? People need public transport irrespective of who provides it."
Pai argued that Bengaluru currently has only 7,000 buses, which he deems insufficient to serve the population. He emphasized the need for a minimum of 15,000 buses immediately, stating that even 10,000 buses in two years would be inadequate. He pointed out that many companies already operate private buses for their employees and questioned why similar services cannot be extended to the general public. "Why not for the public? In many cities, this is happening. Why not in Bengaluru to meet our needs?" he asked, adding that private operators could run services on a fully chargeable basis without government subsidies.
Ramalinga Reddy's Defense of Public Sector Efficiency
In response, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy provided detailed statistics to counter Pai's claims. He highlighted that Karnataka operates a total of 26,054 buses, serving nearly 45 lakh commuters in Bengaluru alone. The city's fleet includes 7,108 buses, with 1,686 being electric, covering over 13 lakh kilometers and operating 66,000 trips daily—the highest in India.
Reddy questioned Pai's selective criticism, asking him to show a single BJP-ruled city or state, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat, that matches this scale and efficiency. He noted that in the last two years, the government has inducted over 5,800 new buses, with plans to add another 2,000+ by March 2026. In contrast, he criticized the BJP's tenure from 2019 to 2023, when bus inductions were frozen and corporations were neglected.
The minister strongly opposed the idea of private bus operators, arguing that they would shut down when profits dip, leaving common daily wage earners in Bengaluru stranded. "A private monopoly would be a crushing burden on the poor. Public transport is a right, not a luxury," he asserted. Reddy emphasized that state-owned road transport corporations operate with a public service mandate, not cherry-picking routes. He explained that 30% of routes run at a loss to ensure connectivity for students and remote villages, 30% operate at break-even, and 40%—largely long-distance routes—generate profits to sustain the system. Additionally, 98% of villages in Karnataka have bus connectivity. "This is how you serve a society, not a board of directors," he concluded.
Ideological Divide and Future Implications
The debate between Reddy and Pai underscores a deeper ideological divide over public transport governance in Bengaluru. Pai's corporate-driven perspective advocates for market-based solutions to address service gaps, while Reddy's stance prioritizes social welfare and the sustainability of public sector undertakings. As Bengaluru grapples with increasing urbanization and transport challenges, this clash highlights the ongoing struggle between efficiency and equity in urban mobility planning.
With both sides presenting compelling arguments, the discussion is likely to influence future policy decisions regarding Bengaluru's bus services. The outcome could shape how the city balances innovation with inclusivity in its quest for a robust public transport system.
