New BMTC Feeder Loop Enhances Metro Accessibility for Bengaluru Residents
Residents of Haralur and Kasavanahalli in Bengaluru now have significantly improved access to the city's Metro network. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has launched two new feeder bus loops—designated MF-22E and MF-22EA—that connect interior residential layouts to the Yellow Line of the Namma Metro system.
Addressing Long-Standing Connectivity Gaps
This initiative represents a strategic expansion of earlier efforts to improve intra-layout connectivity within Bengaluru. While HSR Layout has benefited from an internal feeder service for more than two-and-a-half years, numerous adjoining residential pockets remained disconnected even after the Metro's rollout in August 2025. This persistent gap in transportation infrastructure prompted residents and citizen advocacy groups to campaign vigorously for a more inclusive last-mile network that would effectively link interior areas to the Yellow Line.
Route Details and Service Launch
Launched on March 9, 2026, with fares ranging from ₹6 to ₹25, these feeder buses operate on a circular route with Hosa Road Metro station serving as both the starting and ending point. The comprehensive route covers:
- Hosa Road Metro station
- Choodasandra Circle
- Silver County Road
- Harluru village
- Sarjapur Road
- Iblur Junction connecting to Outer Ring Road
- 27th Main in HSR Layout
- Somasundarapalya
- Kudlu
- Kudlu Metro station
- Return to Hosa Road Metro station
The route specifically serves localities such as Harluru, Kasavanahalli, and other nearby interior stretches that previously had absolutely no bus connectivity, largely due to narrow roads that presented operational challenges for larger vehicles.
Rapid Residential Growth Creates Transportation Demand
Despite the infrastructure limitations, these neighborhoods have experienced explosive residential development in recent years. Current estimates suggest between 6,000 and 10,000 apartments have been constructed in these areas, creating a substantial and growing commuter base that desperately needed reliable transportation options.
Lalithamba BV, a civic volunteer with the Community Task Force, emphasized the importance of this new service: "This was critically important because large interior areas like Harluru had absolutely no bus connectivity despite hosting a huge residential population. This forced people to rely exclusively on private vehicles even for short distances. The fundamental idea was to connect these residential pockets to the Yellow Line and main arterial roads, making daily commuting significantly easier while simultaneously reducing traffic congestion."
Current Operations and Future Plans
Currently, three buses operate during peak hours on this route, maintaining a frequency of approximately 35-40 minutes between services. While initial response has been encouraging, organizers acknowledge that ridership is still gradually picking up, partly attributed to ongoing school holidays and limited public awareness about the new service.
To address this awareness gap, citizen groups have been actively promoting the service through strategic social media campaigns and on-ground outreach initiatives within the communities served.
Mukund Kumar, founding member of the Save Our Sarjapur campaign, provided additional context: "We're working collaboratively with BMTC to resolve various operational issues including real-time bus tracking, schedule optimization, and optimal stop locations. We're also advocating for improvements such as better bus stop placement near large residential clusters. Ultimately, reducing Bengaluru's notorious traffic congestion will require both enhanced public transport infrastructure and a cultural shift away from single-occupancy private vehicle use. This feeder service represents an important starting point in that broader transformation."
Commuters Share Positive Experiences
Early users of the service report significant improvements in their daily commuting experience.
Meera K, a commuter from Kasavanahalli, explained: "Most of our interior roads did not have any last-mile bus service previously, which meant many residents were using personal vehicles and contributing to massive congestion. These new feeder services provide a much better way to reach Sarjapur Road to catch connecting buses to various destinations, and to access Hosa Road for boarding the Metro Yellow Line. However, there are still operational challenges—the buses are not always tracked properly on the Namma BMTC app, and frequency remains an issue during peak hours."
Bishnu Reddy, who regularly uses the feeder bus to reach Hosa Road Metro station, shared his perspective: "Earlier, I drove either a car or two-wheeler through Harlur Road, which was consistently stressful. Now, I simply step out from Silver County Road, track the bus using the BMTC app, pay around ₹10, and hop on. Even for short stretches, I no longer need my personal vehicle. My first ride felt genuinely liberating—I could sit comfortably, relax, and even work on my laptop during the journey. Now, I don't feel like returning to using my car or bike—it's genuinely hassle-free transportation."
BMTC's Strategic Response to Growing Demand
A spokesperson from BMTC clarified the corporation's strategic approach: "To meet the growing demand from commuters following the launch of the Yellow Line, we deliberately introduced this feeder service. Since it is newly launched, we are currently monitoring ridership patterns closely to gauge public response and identify optimization opportunities. If demand increases substantially as expected, we have concrete plans to expand both the frequency and coverage of this service."
This new feeder service represents a significant step forward in Bengaluru's ongoing efforts to create a more integrated, efficient, and accessible public transportation ecosystem that serves both established neighborhoods and rapidly developing residential areas.
