1,000 BMTC electric buses set to carry ads soon

Bengaluru: In a move to boost non-fare revenue, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation has decided to monetise advertising space on 1,000 Tata electric buses operating under the Centre’s FAME scheme.

For the first time, these non-AC e-buses will carry commercial advertisements, with BMTC floating a tender Wednesday to award advertising rights for three years.While diesel buses and AC e-buses have long carried advertisements, these Tata non-AC e-buses have so far remained ad-free. The contract will be awarded to the highest bidder.Unlike the full-body wraps seen on other BMTC buses, advertisements on these e-buses will be limited to an 18sqft space on the rear panel.

BMTC said it won’t be responsible for the content of advertisements, though the selected agency must comply with prescribed guidelines.All advertisements must be displayed in Kannada and adhere to outdoor signage and public messaging bylaws of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).The initiative is expected to generate an additional revenue stream for the cash-strapped transport utility while maintaining uniform advertising norms across the fleet.