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Ather Co-Founder’s ₹12 Bus Protest Prompts Discussion on Bengaluru Transit Fares

His viral post has highlighted BMTC’s UPI payments alongside electric bus comfort as cost-effective alternatives to soaring auto fares.

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The post quickly gained traction, with other users chiming in to share similar experiences and support for BMTC.

Overview

  • Swapnil Jain, co-founder of Ather Energy, boarded a ₹12 BMTC bus on July 14 after auto fares surged to ₹175 for a 4-km ride, calling it his way of protesting inflated urban transport prices.
  • His post went viral on July 15, prompting commuters to applaud his choice and share their own cost-saving bus journeys.
  • Users highlighted BMTC’s UPI payment feature as a smoother alternative to cash transactions and recommended both Namma BMTC and Tummoc apps for live bus tracking.
  • Switch Mobility’s electric buses were celebrated for their comfortable ride despite some reports of minor acceleration lags under heavier passenger loads.
  • The online conversation also included criticism of private scooter performance under pillion riders and surfaced ahead of an auto fare hike scheduled for August 1.