From the article it seems there is a plan to increase the fleet size. Metro is probably eating into BMTC ridership for obvious reasons like being faster for one. BMTC might be in wait and watch mode. Hopefully any new buses inducted will be electric.
BMTC needs to focus on reliable travel times and consistent availability. They should also train their bus drivers and conductors to be less rude and also keep change for people riding in the morning.
Drivers especially need training on proper lane discipline and stopping at the bus stop instead of the middle of the road or 100 meters before and after the bus stop.
Conductors need to be screened for problematic behaviors. It’s also important to teach them to be smarter about distributing tickets when the bus is still standing at the starting location and not waste time standing in the middle of the road until tickets are distributed for all passengers. There is also the case of not being rude when a passenger is not aware of what their destination is named.
Bonus point: 500D buses should travel all the way to and from electronic city during peak hours. Silk board is a mess with metro construction and it is a hell for people who need to walk to bomanahalli from silk board to find E.City buses.
Edit: This is my opinion for improving bus ridership.
Few gripes about BMTC:
Why is tummoc app no longer available for booking ticket? Nobody wants to deal with loudmouth conductors who refuse to give change until last minute when passengers are anxious to avoid missing their stop. It’s clear tummoc is better.
BMTC should not be profit oriented.