Crash test data
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By Melvin Mathew
Urban transport corporation claims mishaps involving its vehicles are on decline
The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation has witnessed a 19.80% decrease in the number of accidents, the corporation has claimed.
In the meantime, BMTC officials blamedreckless driving by two-wheelers for most accidents.
BMTC has been seeing a decrease in the number of accidents over the years, it has been suggested. The 19.80 per cent decrease was in the number of accidents involving BMTC buses in 2023-2024 (until January), recording 166 accidents.
In 2022-2023, BMTC saw 207 accidents. In the last seven years, the corporation saw the lowest number of accidents in 2020-2021 with just 98 instances involving its vehicles. Officials noted that they have been making efforts to reduce accidents systematically.
“Accident reduction is a complex process. We have been conducting health checkups regularly, especially eye checkups, for the crew. We also subject our crew to continuous training on a zonal level by traffic wardens, traffic officials and subject matter experts. Almost daily, 40-50 drivers are sent to BTP’s Traffic Management Centres where they get to visualise traffic violations. Nearly 800 of the crew received gold and silver medals post training sessions,” said a senior BMTC official.
He added that they have also taken scientific measures to reduce stress amongst drivers. “We have rescheduled around 1,000 routes to meet the real running time. Using real-time and GPS data, we found the actual running time as compared to the estimated time. The new running time was adjusted based on the actual running time. This allows crew to operate in a stress-free environment,” he added.
However, for the number ofBMTC accidents of late, BMTC officials blamed the reckless driving of two-wheelers.
“Whenever an accident occurs, we study the accident. BMTC has been engaging in this study for the past six months. In 70-75 cases, it’s the reckless driving of two-wheelers. Out of 10 cases, BMTC crew may be responsible for 4-7 cases,” he added. Mobility experts suggested regular training, counselling and stress management techniques for the staff.
“The numbers are not alarming for running 6,000 buses across roughly 900 sq km of space. But drivers and conductors should undergo routine training for driving and traffic rules. They should also undergo CPR and First Aid training as they are often the first responders at accident sites. BMTC should also consider smaller buses that would allow better control and reduce the space occupied by its vehicles on roads. Additionally, bus bays must be protected with technology. Bus bays should be monitored by cameras and made zero-tolerance zones. Any other vehicle stopping at bus bays should be heavily penalised. To reduce the stress of drivers, BMTC should offer counselling services and stress-management techniques. Drivers have to be responsible and ferry 40-50 passengers and they also have personal problems weighing on them. There should be services like yoga, and meditation to allow drivers to become stress-free when they stop at depots,” said Rajkumar Dugar, a mobility expert.
The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation has witnessed a 19.80% decrease in the number of accidents, the corporation has claimed.
In the meantime, BMTC officials blamed
BMTC has been seeing a decrease in the number of accidents over the years, it has been suggested. The 19.80 per cent decrease was in the number of accidents involving BMTC buses in 2023-2024 (until January), recording 166 accidents.
In 2022-2023, BMTC saw 207 accidents. In the last seven years, the corporation saw the lowest number of accidents in 2020-2021 with just 98 instances involving its vehicles. Officials noted that they have been making efforts to reduce accidents systematically.
“Accident reduction is a complex process. We have been conducting health checkups regularly, especially eye checkups, for the crew. We also subject our crew to continuous training on a zonal level by traffic wardens, traffic officials and subject matter experts. Almost daily, 40-50 drivers are sent to BTP’s Traffic Management Centres where they get to visualise traffic violations. Nearly 800 of the crew received gold and silver medals post training sessions,” said a senior BMTC official.
He added that they have also taken scientific measures to reduce stress amongst drivers. “We have rescheduled around 1,000 routes to meet the real running time. Using real-time and GPS data, we found the actual running time as compared to the estimated time. The new running time was adjusted based on the actual running time. This allows crew to operate in a stress-free environment,” he added.
However, for the number of
“Whenever an accident occurs, we study the accident. BMTC has been engaging in this study for the past six months. In 70-75 cases, it’s the reckless driving of two-wheelers. Out of 10 cases, BMTC crew may be responsible for 4-7 cases,” he added. Mobility experts suggested regular training, counselling and stress management techniques for the staff.
“The numbers are not alarming for running 6,000 buses across roughly 900 sq km of space. But drivers and conductors should undergo routine training for driving and traffic rules. They should also undergo CPR and First Aid training as they are often the first responders at accident sites. BMTC should also consider smaller buses that would allow better control and reduce the space occupied by its vehicles on roads. Additionally, bus bays must be protected with technology. Bus bays should be monitored by cameras and made zero-tolerance zones. Any other vehicle stopping at bus bays should be heavily penalised. To reduce the stress of drivers, BMTC should offer counselling services and stress-management techniques. Drivers have to be responsible and ferry 40-50 passengers and they also have personal problems weighing on them. There should be services like yoga, and meditation to allow drivers to become stress-free when they stop at depots,” said Rajkumar Dugar, a mobility expert.
