Karnataka public transport has become the centre of a sharp public debate after entrepreneur Mohandas Pai and state Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy sparred on social media over bus shortages, efficiency, and the role of private operators in Bengaluru and across the state. The exchange has drawn attention to long-standing concerns about urban mobility, government policy, and the balance between public service and profitability.
Pai, former CFO of Infosys, triggered the discussion by criticising the Karnataka government’s handling of public transport, arguing that residents have faced persistent shortages and inadequate services over the past three years. He said policy delays and resistance to private participation have worsened connectivity and commuter convenience, particularly in a rapidly growing city like Bengaluru.
Pai flags bus shortage, pushes for private participation
Pai alleged that Karnataka has consistently failed to provide adequate public transport, calling the system ineffective and overstretched. He urged the government to allow private bus operators to supplement state-run services, claiming it would improve efficiency and coverage.
“All we have got is shortage of buses and lack of public transport for last three years,” Pai wrote, adding that commuters should not be concerned about who provides the service as long as reliable transport is available. He also tagged Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing the state leadership of maintaining a rigid mindset on the issue.
Transport minister challenges Pai to open debate
Responding to the criticism, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy strongly defended Karnataka’s public transport model and challenged Pai to a face-to-face debate. Reddy said the managing director of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) was capable of addressing Pai’s claims with facts.
“Are you ready to step up, or will you just keep tweeting?” Reddy asked in a post, accusing Pai of viewing public transport purely through a financial lens.
According to the minister, public transport is a social service designed to serve citizens, not just a balance sheet. “You see a balance sheet, I see 1.5 crore citizens,” he said.
Shakti scheme and social service model highlighted
Reddy pointed to the state government’s Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to women, as a landmark policy achievement. He said the programme has already enabled more than 650 crore free trips, calling it one of the largest mobility-led empowerment initiatives in India.
Explaining the economics of state-run transport, Reddy said Karnataka’s transport corporations deliberately operate loss-making routes to ensure rural and student connectivity. About 30 per cent of routes run at a loss, another 30 per cent break even, while long-distance routes generate profits that sustain the system, he said.
Bus fleet numbers and expansion plans
The minister stated that Karnataka currently operates 26,054 buses statewide, with Bengaluru alone carrying nearly 45 lakh passengers daily. The capital’s fleet includes 7,108 buses, of which 1,686 are electric, covering over 13 lakh kilometres and operating around 66,000 trips every day.
Reddy said more than 5,800 new buses have been added in the past two years, with plans to induct another 2,000 buses by March 2026. He also alleged that bus procurement was largely frozen during the previous BJP-led government between 2019 and 2023.
Warning against private monopolies
Closing the argument, Reddy cautioned that private operators tend to withdraw services when profits decline, leaving commuters stranded. He said public transport is a right, not a luxury, and warned that private monopolies could severely impact low-income passengers.
“Our public sector transport undertakings are here to stay, to serve, and to lead Karnataka,” he said.