Chaotic traffic, poorly lit subways, a shortage of buses during weekends, private vehicles, cabs and autorickshaws occupying bus bays, alleged overcharging for luggage and discourteous staff are among the concerns raised by commuters. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO Poorly maintained toilets, inadequate drinking water facilities, unsafe pedestrian crossings and a lack of seamless connectivity between transport services continue to trouble commuters at the Kempegowda Bus Station in Majestic, months after Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh conducted surprise inspections of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminals.Despite assurances of improvements following the Minister’s visit in August, passengers said several basic facilities remain inadequate. Chaotic traffic, poorly lit subways, a shortage of buses during weekends, private vehicles, cabs and autorickshaws occupying bus bays, alleged overcharging for luggage and discourteous staff are among the concerns raised by commuters.Majestic houses the Kempegowda Bus Station, the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station and the Kempegowda Metro Station, all located within a short distance of one another.
The hub handles lakhs of passengers every day, making it Bengaluru’s busiest transport centre. However, inadequate coordination between different modes of transport services continues to make commute difficult and inconvenient.Switching modes toughThe stretch between the KSRTC and the BMTC bus terminals is particularly dangerous for pedestrians.
Commuters frequently have to cross busy roads to reach connecting services, exposing themselves to the risk of accidents. Although subways provide access between the bus terminals and the railway station, poor maintenance and inadequate lighting discourage passengers from using them.Pradeep Kumar, a software engineer who travels through Majestic daily, said that changing from one mode of transport to another remained difficult. “Switching from a metro train to a bus is a nightmare here.
The crossings are unsafe, and the footpaths are in poor condition. There is no proper way to move between stations without putting yourself at risk,” he said.Safety and amenitiesSafety remains another major concern, particularly for women travelling through the Majestic bus station.
Poor lighting around bus stations and pedestrian routes adds to their anxiety, especially after dark.“It feels unsafe even during the day. After dark, it feels like it is one of the most unsafe places.
The bus stops are poorly lit, and I am constantly worried about protecting myself and my belongings while waiting for a bus or moving between the metro and the bus stand,” said Lavanya S., a commuter.Basic amenities at the bus terminals have also drawn criticism.Nithin K., a commuter who uses the KSRTC terminal, said that the condition of the toilets and the lack of suitable waiting areas caused considerable inconvenience, particularly to passengers with long waiting periods at the KSRTC bus station. “The toilets are in a terrible condition, and there are no proper waiting areas. If we have a long layover, finding a clean place to sit becomes a challenge,” he added.The availability and quality of drinking water have also been questioned.
Commuters said the existing dispensers are insufficient for a terminal of the Majestic’s size and that concerns about water quality lead many passengers to purchase bottled water. “The Majestic Bus Station is very large, and there should be more water dispensers. The water available at the existing dispensers does not appear clean enough, so most people buy plastic water bottles.
This also contributes to the litter scattered around the station,” said commuter Ramya Kumari.InspectionIn August, Mr. Suresh inspected the Majestic bus terminal.
Officials maintained that steps have been taken to address the concerns raised during the inspection.They said that washrooms were being kept clean and drinking water facilities had been provided across the terminals. “We have taken steps to improve cleanliness and ensure the availability of drinking water at the bus stations following the Minister’s inspection. A redevelopment plan worth around ₹1,500 crore is also under consideration to transform the Majestic bus terminals into modern facilities with improved passenger amenities,” an official said.
Published - October 22, 2026 07:11 pm IST