Bengaluru, Oct. 2: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to give its transport system a high-tech upgrade. It has decided to pilot an ‘Automatic Passenger Counting’ (APC) system in 30 buses to accurately track passenger numbers, boarding and alighting points, crowding levels, and the status of the ticketing system. BMTC has already officially invited tenders for this project, with the deadline for bid submission set for October 12, 2026.
What is APC technology? How does it work?:
APC is a technology based on advanced sensors and onboard cameras or devices installed near the front and rear doors of buses. The sensors automatically count passengers as they enter and exit the vehicle. It provides real-time data on the number of passengers boarding and alighting at each stop, as well as the total number of passengers currently on board. Once this system becomes operational, at least… The tender clearly specifies a requirement for 95% counting accuracy.
Facilitating ETM and Pass Verification:
BMTC currently uses Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs). However, due to the high number of free pass holders (under schemes like Shakti, senior citizen passes, and student passes), verifying the actual number of passengers on the bus against ticket data has been a challenge for BMTC. By integrating data from this new APC system with the ETM, it becomes possible to independently verify the number of people holding passes or tickets versus the actual number of passengers on board.
Curbing Revenue Leakage and Ticketless Travel:
This system will play a crucial role in preventing revenue leakage, a major concern for BMTC. If a discrepancy arises between the passenger count and the number of tickets issued, an alert is immediately transmitted online to the BMTC control room. This independent technology will help detect irregularities or corrupt practices, such as conductors accepting cash without issuing tickets. Route Optimization and Bus Schedule Management:
This initiative can bring about significant improvements not only in monitoring but also in BMTC’s overall operations. Integrating the APC system with GPS and VLT technologies will provide clarity on which routes experience high passenger density and at what times. This will enable the corporation to easily reduce bus frequency on routes with low ridership and deploy more buses to routes facing heavy congestion.