Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh got a firsthand taste of Bengaluru's commuting challenges after a BMTC conductor asked him to get off a bus because he did not have exact change during a surprise inspection.

Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh experienced the difficulties faced by daily commuters during a surprise inspection of Bengaluru's public transport system on Saturday evening. Travelling incognito, the minister was asked to get off a BMTC bus after he failed to provide the exact fare.

Wearing a face mask to avoid being recognised, Suresh boarded a BMTC bus travelling from Hebbal to Nagashettihalli and requested two tickets. He handed the conductor a ₹100 note, but the conductor said he did not have enough change to return the balance.

According to reports, the conductor showed his cash bag and told the passenger to get off the bus if he could not provide the exact fare. Unaware that he was speaking to the state's transport minister, the conductor insisted on the rule. Suresh did not reveal his identity and quietly stepped off the bus.

The minister's inspection lasted for around two hours, during which he travelled across several parts of Bengaluru, including Jayamahal, RT Nagar, Hebbal, Manyata Tech Park, Nagawara, Hennur and Geddalahalli, to assess the quality of public transport services.

During the inspection, Suresh also travelled in an autorickshaw. Although the fare meter showed ₹30, the driver reportedly demanded ₹36, claiming that the meter required recalibration. The minister eventually paid ₹40 before ending the journey.

The surprise inspection was aimed at understanding the everyday problems faced by commuters using Bengaluru's public transport network. The incidents highlighted issues such as the availability of change on buses and fare-related complaints involving autorickshaws.