Bengaluru: From Rs 62K UPI error by passenger to Rs 10 lakh gold bag left on bus, BMTC conductors win praise for integrity

In a city where lakhs commute daily, a few moments on board Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses turned into powerful reminders that honesty still rides along.

Three separate incidents recently showcased how alert and upright conductors protected passengers from massive financial losses - and even reunited them with precious valuables. 

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₹6 Ticket, ₹62,316 Payment: A Senior Citizen’s Shock

On January 14, a senior citizen boarded a bus at Uttarahalli, travelling from Kengeri to Banashankari. Intending to pay ₹6 via UPI by scanning the conductor’s QR code, he mistakenly transferred ₹62,316 instead.

Realising the error instantly, he alerted conductor K Puttaswamy, who promptly escalated the issue to depot authorities. Chandrakala BR, manager of Kengeri depot, explained the process that followed. 

"After the conductor guided him, he submitted the relevant documents and, within a few days, the excess amount was refunded," she said.

IT Professional’s ₹64,000 Digital Slip

A similar incident had occurred earlier on December 5. An IT professional, Niranjali, accidentally transferred ₹64,000 while paying for a ticket to Electronics City from Kengeri. Conductor Maruthi Pandre immediately directed her to approach the depot with the required documentation.

"Her excess amount was refunded promptly. She expressed gratitude to the conductor and staff for their quick assistance," the depot manager said.

Gold Worth ₹10 Lakh Returned

Honesty extended beyond digital payments. Conductor Ganga S Pujari, while on duty between KR Market and Padmanabhanagar, noticed an unattended bag after a woman passenger alighted at Basavanagudi.

"After the bus left Basavanagudi, while issuing tickets, I noticed an unattended bag and asked the passengers if it belonged to anyone. They said it did not. After some time, officials informed me that a woman approached police station seeking help to trace the bag she left behind. Meanwhile, the woman boarded another bus from Basavanagudi and sought the help of its conductor, who contacted me as we know each other. At the last stop, we handed over the bag to her. She was very happy to receive her valuables back," she said.

The bag contained gold jewellery worth nearly ₹10 lakh.

From Airport Route to Recognition

In another case, a passenger travelling on the Vayu Vajra service to Kempegowda International Airport forgot her robotic vacuum cleaner. The crew successfully traced and returned the item.

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On Saturday, Karnataka’s Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy honoured the conductors and staff with cash rewards and appreciation letters, applauding their swift and honest service.

These incidents highlight that beyond routes and schedules, BMTC’s true strength lies in the integrity of its people.