Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy urges intervention of union govt to improve efficiency of GCC operators

Urges to increase, efficiency and minimise accidents

Bengaluru Express

Bengaluru, Oct. 27: Raising serious concerns regarding performance of GCC (Gross Cost Contract) Operators under FAME II& CESL, Smart City Project and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 Request for Immediate Intervention of the union government and fix grave lacunas.

Addressing a media conference on Monday Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said that he has shot off a letter to union industries minister aHD Kumaraswamy urging him to intervene and resolve the issues arising out of GCC operators.

Ahead of sanction of 4500 buses to Karnataka by the union industries minister Mr Reddy appreciated the environment friendly initiative of electric mobility in public transport across the Nation and particularly, Bengaluru has been privileged to be a part of this transformational journey.

However, there are some pressing concern and compelling urgency regarding the operational efficacy and service discipline of certain GCC (Gross Cost Contract) operators who have been entrusted with the deployment and operation of electric buses in Bengaluru. The performance of operators under GCC, predominantly OEMs such as NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Tata Motors Limited (IML), Switch Mobility, and their associated operating entity, OHM Global Mobility, has fallen significantly short of the standards expected from industry leaders of their stature, he observed.

The operators have failed to address the issues like lack of structured and rigorous driver training, poor maintenance, cancellations, breakdowns, battery issues, and insufficient driver preparedness lead to rise in road accidents and repeated flash strikes, he explains.

KSRTC has been paying Rs. 35 crore towards GCC apart from providing conductor to these buses. Unfortunately, these GCC operated buses are involved in frequent accidents earning bad reputation to bith state and union government, he expressed concern.

Due to the flash strike resorted by the drivers and other staff of GCC operators, BMTC is forced to shut down certain  schedules leading to earning bad name, he added.

Some of the grave issues:

As against the proposed minimum manpower deployment of 2.3 personnel per bus, it is observed that the deployment of as little as 1.9 to 2.0 personnel per bus as cost-cutting measure by operators with far reaching consequences.

Presently, BMTC operates 65,000 trips each day with 7,067 buses (5,423 powered by diesel and 1,644 representing the electric fleet).

Despite this vast scale, the Corporation’s diesel buses maintain an exceptional safety record, with accidents registering at a mere 0.05 per lakh kilometres of operations.

In stark contrast, electric buses exhibit a higher accident rate of 0.07 per lakh kilometres: and it is tarnishing the image of the Organisation.

Few requests:

1. Initiate a performance review of GCC operators under FAME II & CESL and other projects with a particular focus on Breakdowns, Safety compliance and Driver training.

2. Incorporate binding clauses in future tender documents, mandating comprehensive and certified driver training protocols by GCC operators, prior to commencement of services.

3. Institute a compliance monitoring mechanism jointly undertaken by State Transport Utilities and the Ministry, to ensure adherence to safety and service benchmarks.

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