BMTC to cancel order for Volvo buses

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is all set cancel its order of 100 AC buses after one Volvo bus failed to meet its expectations during the trial. In the 2016-17 state budget, the government had agreed to support BMTC in buying 1,000 buses, 100 of them AC buses.

BMTC managing director Anjum Parvez said the corporation had called a tender for 100 AC buses and Volvo India, which won the bid, got the purchase order with a condition that 10 buses should be provided first.

“According to the conditions, the order for the remaining buses (90) was to be given depending on the performance of the 10 buses. Volvo had provided one 330 hp bus. During the trial run, it was found that the kmpl rate (mileage) of the new bus was lower compared to the Volvo buses acquired earlier,” he said.

Parvez said the findings from the trial run were placed before the BMTC board of directors. “The board has taken a decision to cancel the order. We have sent it to the state government for the final decision,” he said.

Volvo buses are a key source of revenue on some routes, especially to Electronics City and Bannerghatta Road besides IT parks in eastern and northern parts of the city. More importantly, the BMTC has entered into agreement with IT companies to provide these buses for hire.

When asked about the possibility of calling another tender, a BMTC official said it was left to the board and the government to decide on such a move.