3,000 more buses, wider footpaths planned to boost Bengaluru public transport: Maheshwar Rao

Bengaluru aims to enhance its public transportation system by adding nearly 3,000 buses and improving pedestrian infrastructure. Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao emphasized the importance of increasing the number of buses on the road during the Mobility Symposium 2026. While noting that improving public transport capacity alone is insufficient, Rao called for wider footpaths and better pedestrian access to facilitate commuters' access to bus stops and other public transport facilities.

Employers were urged to incentivize employees to use buses and metro systems, while technology park owners were encouraged to improve public transport access. The discussions also addressed climate-related disruptions, with Rao advocating for a long-term approach to urban drainage and plans to identify locations for public heat shelters.

Sharath Bache Gowda, Member of the Legislative Assembly from Hoskote and chairman of KEONICS, highlighted the need to improve transportation in Bengaluru's rapidly expanding outskirts. He advocated for formalizing transport networks in satellite towns, addressing the issue of expensive and unorganised last-mile journeys between bus stations and homes that can undermine the benefits of affordable public transport.