Bus-ted with Nostalgia: Book Chronicles Bengaluru’s BMTC Journeys

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 2 Views

The city's affectionate relationship with its legendary BMTC buses has been documented by a new book, Bengalurina Bussina Kathegalu (Bengaluru's Bus Stories), released on Monday, which tells the untold tales of the ordinary commuter.

Bengaluru's lifeblood, the BMTC, is not only a means of travel-it's the city's shared memory bank. Amidst Bangalore's fame and infamy surrounding IT and heavy traffic, the book unravels the much-neglected yet integral position of BMTC buses in cementing Bengaluru's social tissue.

About the Book

EQUIMOB, ISEC, BBPV, and Samvada co-create Bengalurina Bussina Kathegalu together.
The book collates personal recollections and anecdotes revolving around BMTC journeys, ranging from double-decker nostalgia to bus radio days before mobiles.

Purpose and Message

Seeks to capture and celebrate the quotidian lives of BMTC commuters, who are seldom in the limelight in popular stories about Bengaluru.
Emphasizes how BMTC, not trains, has traditionally been the support system of city commuting.

Distribution

The e-book will be out soon on the Equimob website.
Hard copies will be shared among BBPV community groups and government ministries.

Voices Behind the Project

Project coordinator and PhD scholar Prajwal highlighted the lack of representation of BMTC in the city's development narrative despite its central role.
The book attempts to bridge this gap by documenting and sharing these shared memories.

Why This Matters

BMTC buses are a part of Bengaluru's identity, but their tales are often not documented.

This book is a tribute to the unseen paths and bonds made on the buses of the city, presenting a fresh perspective on city life in Bengaluru.

Sources: The New Indian Express, Wikipedia

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