The BMTC bus breakdown on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) on Tuesday, which left hundreds of commuters stranded in a gridlock, taking more than two hours to cover a mere 6 km stretch, is not a one-off. According to Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) officials, the top safety brake systems of heavy electric vehicles (EVs), such as buses and trucks, are adding to Bengaluru’s infamous traffic problem.
Officials say air brake-related breakdowns have become a recurring problem in the city, posing a constant challenge for traffic management. For instance, a SWITCH electric vehicle broke down near Sanjaynagar in North Bengaluru again on Wednesday, bringing traffic to a standstill for nearly an hour.
Most BMTC electric buses operating in the city are equipped with air brake systems, which rely on a continuous supply of air pressure. In the event of a major air leak, the drop in pressure automatically applies the brakes and locks the wheels to ensure passenger safety, a spokesperson from an EV company explained.
While for the ORR incident, a company spokesperson claimed that their field officers reached the site promptly and resolved the issue.
“When the wheels lock, the brakes cannot be released until a technician trained to handle air leaks arrives on-site and unlocks them. These technicians, who work as field operators for the bus companies, often take time to reach the breakdown location. This delay means buses often remain stationary for hours, leading to prolonged congestion,” a senior police officer from the Northeast subdivision explained.
