BMTC app. Image used for representative purpose only.
| Photo Credit: Handout E Mail
The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced that its Namma BMTC mobile app will be temporarily unavailable from 15 January to 30 January 2025.
According to a release by BMTC, this downtime is necessitated by the migration of the app’s data to the Karnataka State Data Centre (KSDC).
Key features such as live bus tracking, journey planner, fare calculator, timetable information, and route tracking will not be accessible during this period. “BMTC is committed to enhancing its digital infrastructure to provide better services to the public, and this migration activity is part of that initiative,” BMTC stated in the release.
The app’s unavailability is expected to impact daily commuters, particularly office-goers, school and college students, and Bengaluru airport travelers who rely on it to track buses. Regular users expressed concerns about the temporary disruption.
Suhasini Ramesh, a marketing professional who travels daily from Koramangala to Whitefield, said, “The Namma BMTC app is my go-to tool for checking bus timings. Without it, I’ll have no other option to rely on since in Google too we don’t get any information on this bus tracking.”
Similarly, Aman Khan, a student from Shanthinagar said, “The live tracking feature helps me plan my commute effectively. I understand the need for upgrades, but this long downtime will be a challenge for many of us who depend on it.”
The Namma BMTC app, launched in September 2023, was developed with funding from the Government of India under the Nirbhaya Scheme. The initiative includes the integration of women’s safety features, an in-bus surveillance system for city buses, and a Passenger Information System (PIS) at bus stops and stations.
The Namma BMTC mobile app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, was developed by M/s MCT Cards and Technologies Pvt. Ltd. As part of its safety and tracking initiatives, BMTC has equipped 5,000 buses with onboard devices and vehicle tracking systems, installed 5,000 panic buttons, 10,000 CCTV cameras, and established a robust surveillance network. According to the Google Play Store, the app has been downloaded by over 500,000 users.
Published – January 15, 2025 11:19 am IST
