Earlier this week, a BMTC bus was reportedly stolen from Majestic and abandoned near Hoskote.
City Express asked the BMTC how something like this could have happened.
“We usually park our buses on roads near our depots. We have posted security guards to ensure safety of the vehicles,” claims BMTC General Manager (Traffic), G N Veeregowda.
Is the BMTC taking a big risk by parking its buses on city streets? Many buses reportedly have no locks.
This could allow someone who does not know driving to drive away a vehicle and lead to loss of life, limb and property.
BMTC was taken by surprise when Route No 336 plying between Majestic and Marathahalli was stolen and later abandoned on the Hoskote-Chintamani Road.
Incidentally, the bus had been parked on the service road near Kempegowda Bus Terminal. According to Veeregowda, this is a rare case.
“Since it was lunch time, the driver had left the vehicle with the keys in the lock. A similar incident occurred three years ago. This is not a case of theft but definitely an act of mischief,” Veeregowda explained.
He suspects a driver could be involved.
Except for a few old vehicles, most BMTC buses plying in and around Bangalore have a locking system, he said.
“There was negligence from the driver’s side who took it easy. But it was a human error,” he explained.
BMTC has given a strict warning to all drivers to lock their vehicles if they are heading out.
“If they are negligent, we might even suspend them. It is the responsibility of the drivers to safeguard their vehicles,” Veeregowda added.
BMTC is now trying to find out who had driven the vehicle away.