Karnataka Transport Minister goes incognito on BMTC buses, orders action against staff
In a surprise late-night inspection, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh travelled incognito, wearing a face mask, on more than 10 BMTC buses across Bengaluru on Saturday
In a surprise late-night inspection, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh travelled incognito, wearing a face mask, on more than 10 BMTC buses across Bengaluru on Saturday (July 11, 2026) to assess the quality of public transport services firsthand. During the inspection, Mr. Suresh found a conductor and a driver allegedly derelict in their duties and recommended their suspension. A BMTC source told The Hindu that an enquiry has been ordered against the conductors and immediate action has been initiated.
The Minister boarded a bus travelling from Hebbal towards Nagashettihalli and asked the conductor to issue two tickets after handing over a ₹100 note. The conductor showed his bag, saying he didn’t have change, and asked the passenger to get off the bus if exact change was unavailable The two-hour reality check by the Minister, conducted between 7.10 p.m. and 9.10 p.m., saw him travel across multiple routes covering Jayamahal, TV Tower, R.T. Nagar, Ballari Road, Hebbal, Bhupasandra, Manyata Tech Park, Nagawara, Hennur, Hennur Bande, Byrathi Bande and Geddalahalli.
He also took an autorickshaw from Ballari Road to Hebbal as part of the inspection. During the inspection, Mr. Suresh found that a BMTC bus bearing registration number KA-57 F-3372 failed to stop at the Fun World
bus stop despite a waiting passenger signalling the driver. Travelling in the bus behind, the Minister witnessed the incident and directed officials to suspend the driver, Mustaq, and conductor Dayanand for failing to halt at the designated stop.
The BriefWire