The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), could have to rely on private fuel stations to refuel its fleet of about 6,700 buses as oil companies have instructed retail outlets not to supply diesel in bulk because it is against the rules, news agency PTI reported.
According to a 2018 report, the mileage of ordinary buses in the BMTC is around 3.7 kilometres per litre. A senior BMTC official told PTI buses are refuelled at depots where they have diesel stock for about a week. Fuel is usually supplied in tankers by retailers but the BMTC pays ₹30 per litre more than retail prices.
Oil company owners, who have knowledge of the practice, have now threatened their retailers with loss of licenses if bulk supply does not stop.
