Karnataka Minister Takes Surprise BMTC Ride, Faces Same Issues as Bengaluru Commuters

The surprise inspection has been a hit on the web, with many describing it as a rare glimpse into the daily grind of ordinary commuters.

Incognito Ride to Test Public Transport Services
Minister Byrathi Suresh travelled by a BMTC bus to know the problems of commuters better without revealing his identity. 

The idea was simple: to get a feel of what Bengaluru's bus services are like, the way thousands of residents do every day.

Asked To Leave Over Exact Change
The minister had a ₹100 note and tried to use it to buy a ticket while he was on the ride. 

According to reports, the bus conductor asked him to alight as he did not have exact change – a complaint commuters have been raising for years.

For many, it was vindication. “Even the minister had to have exact change to buy a ticket,” one social media user said.

Then the autorickshaw fare dispute
It didn’t end at the bus stop. The minister, it seems, had a spat with an autorickshaw driver over a fare, a common complaint in Bengaluru, where passengers frequently argue over prices.

Concentrate On Closing The Gaps
The undercover ride has attracted a lot of attention, and people say it has highlighted real everyday problems on the city’s transport system.

The Transport Department says the findings from the inspection will be used to identify gaps and work on improvements in BMTC services and autorickshaw regulations.

For once, a minister was seeing the problem from the passenger seat. Now, commuters will be watching for what changes come next.