BMTC likely to run full-length e-buses on metro feeder routes

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is considering leasing another 148 full-length electric buses from a Tata Motors subsidiary after multiple attempts to procure 120 smaller vehicles for metro feeder routes failed. 

The BMTC’s plan to lease 120 midi e-buses — 8-10 metres long with a 900 mm floor height — did not materialise because of high bids quoted by vehicle manufacturers. The lowest bid was about 30% higher than what the BMTC will pay to lease 320 low-floor, air-conditioned e-buses. 

The midi-buses, intended for narrow, interior roads connecting metro stations, were to be financed by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and the State Urban Transport Fund (SUTF). 

The BMTC first invited tenders in December 2023 and then twice in March 2024. The tender requirements included daily operation of at least 180 km for 350 days per year, or 63,000 km annually, for 12 years. The supplier was required to bear the cost of drivers. 

While the first tender did not receive any bids, Ashok Leyland subsidiary Switch Mobility participated in the second tender and quoted Rs 88 per km. The company was also the lone participant in the third tender, and following negotiations, lowered the final bid to Rs 86 per km. The BMTC found the rate “too high” and scrapped the tender. 

“Who on earth will pay such a high price for a short-length, high-floor, non-AC e-bus?,” BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R told DH. "We’ll have to pay the lease for 12 years with annual escalation. EV technology is still evolving, and spare parts are not easily available.” 

To put things in perspective, Tata Motors subsidiary TML Smart City Mobility Solutions has leased the BMTC 12-metre-long, low-floor, non-AC e-buses for just Rs 40.01 per km. Ohm Mobility, another Ashok Leyland subsidiary, has agreed to supply 320, low-floor AC e-buses for just Rs 65.8 per km. 

Given the disparities, the BMTC is now exploring the option of leasing 148 more e-buses from TML Smart City Mobility Solutions under the 921-vehicle order placed in 2023. 

“We are exploring this opportunity to utilise the available money, subject to government approvals. We can get these buses at half the rate (Rs 40.01 vs Rs 86). Every paisa will make a difference because we will have to pay for 12 years,” Ramachandran said. 

Under the 921-bus order, the Tata company has delivered 841 e-buses and will supply 80 more by March 2025. 

However, deploying these 12-metre-long buses on narrow, interior roads along metro feeder routes will pose operational challenges. Ramachandran said a plan was being worked out. 

Currently, the BMTC runs 151 metro feeder bus services daily and plans to expand this to 300 after new buses arrive. 

BMTC buses: Fact sheet

Current fleet: 6,300

Electric fleet: 1,231

Daily services: 5,400

Daily trips: 58,000

Midi-buses: 153

Metro feeder services: 151

Metro stations linked: 43

Metro feeder ridership: 1 lakh