Bengaluru's BMTC to deploy smart counting on 30 buses

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is moving ahead with plans to install automatic passenger counting systems on 30 buses as part of a pilot initiative aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.

The system will utilise sensor-based technology to capture real-time data on passenger boarding and alighting patterns across selected routes. By gathering this granular information, BMTC officials expect to gain a clearer understanding of demand fluctuations throughout the day and across different service corridors.

The initiative addresses a longstanding challenge for urban transit operators in India: the lack of precise, consistent data on passenger volumes. Currently, most transport agencies rely on manual surveys or estimation methods, which often fail to capture the full picture of commuter behaviour and route utilisation.

With detailed passenger counting data, BMTC can optimise route scheduling, adjust frequency of buses during peak and off-peak hours, and allocate resources more effectively. The information gathered during the pilot phase is also expected to inform future decisions on network redesign and infrastructure investments.

The deployment on 30 buses marks an initial step toward modernising BMTC's operations. Depending on the success of the pilot programme, the transport corporation may consider expanding the system to its broader fleet in the coming years.