Bengaluru Metro's Yellow & Pink lines to run with outsourced staff
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Train operators, crew controllers, assistant managers (train operations), and managers will be hired through private agencies. BMRCL has already floated a tender for the recruitment of this workforce. The same approach is also being planned for the Pink Line — from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara — part of Phase II.
BMRCL will train all selected candidates before allowing them to be part of operations. The 18.8km Yellow Line will initially run 15 six-car trainsets with a headway of 5.3 minutes during peak hours and 8 minutes during non-peak hours.
However, the Metro operator has so far received only three trainsets and it remains unclear whether outsourced staff will be employed for this first batch of trains. For the 21km Pink Line, 23 trainsets are planned, with a frequency of 4.5 minutes during peak hours and 8 minutes at other times. Both lines are expected to operate from 5am to midnight.
Though the signalling system on both lines is equipped for unattended train operations (UTO), BMRCL has opted for operation by deploying loco-pilots.
The communication-based control system includes sub-systems such as automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO), and automatic train supervision (ATS).
A senior BMRCL official said the decision to outsource is a stopgap measure to address current staff shortage. "Recruitment through regular channels takes time. Outsourcing will help us get the new lines operational without delay. Chennai and Hyderabad Metros have followed similar models.
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However, regular recruitment will also be carried out in due course," the official said.
BMRCL expects the move to reduce operational costs while ensuring the timely launch of services. The base pay for outsourced roles has been fixed at Rs 34,355 for train operators, Rs 37,798 for crew controllers, Rs 51,045 for assistant managers, and Rs 86,095 for managers. Final pay will be settled after negotiations with contractors.
Earlier this year, BMRCL had planned to appoint 50 train operators on a contract basis, but the move was rolled back in March following criticism over the alleged exclusion of Kannadigas in the hiring process.
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