One side of the bus station is used for intra-city buses by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) while the other side is used by out-station buses operated by various state road transport corporations.

Former chief minister of Karnataka R. Gundu Rao is credited with building the station.

The bus station not only eased congestion with buses and helped streamline the transport system but also helped the local area grow economically and was a major landmark of the city for many years.

It was later named as Kempegowda Bus Station in honour of Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bangalore.

The station is located on the site of the Dharmambudhi Lake, which dried up in the early 20th century.