BMTC set to have 1,779 e-buses by year-end

The first phase of this induction was marked by the ceremonial flag-off of 10 non-AC electric buses by State Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to have 1,779 electric buses by the end of this year.

On Friday, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy flagged off 10 of the 148 non-AC e-buses being leased from Tata Motors Limited (TML) Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited as part of a top-up order to the 921 vehicles supplied since December 2023.

The new e-buses will be operated under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model for a contractual period of 12 years at a rate of Rs 41.01 per kilometre per bus, inclusive of electricity charges. The BMTC has received financial aid of Rs 39.08 lakh per bus from the Directorate of Urban and Land Transport (DULT) and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

These 148 vehicles will add to the BMTC's current e-bus fleet of 1,436. All the new buses have been deployed to Depot 4 (Jayanagar) and will be operational from July 12.

The BMTC is also set to operate 195 AC e-buses, leased from Ohm Global Mobility Ltd, as part of a 320-vehicle order. The remaining 125 e-buses are already running on premium routes, including tech corridors.

In addition, the BMTC will receive another 4,100 non-AC and 400 AC e-buses under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.

BMTC Managing Director R Ramachandran said the Tata company had addressed the issue of sudden braking in the new buses.

"They (TML) have appreciated upon their previous version of the braking system, and the coordination between the speed of the vehicle and the application of the brake. However, it ultimately depends on the driver's knack for applying of brakes. Severe jerking moments shouldn't happen when there is regular traffic movement. Drivers need to be trained to ensure this," he told DH.

While the existing electric buses only had a fire detection and alarm system, the newly launched buses come equipped with fire and smoke suppression systems. Some of the other new features include a kneeling mechanism and a wheelchair ramp to enable easy onboarding of differently abled passengers and senior citizens.

Reddy said the electric buses had played a significant role in preventing air pollution. As per data shared by the BMTC, e-buses have helped prevent the emission of 2.07 lakh kg of carbon dioxide and save 77,000 litres of diesel daily.

"Electric vehicles are the way ahead. Day by day, vehicles on our roads are increasing, and so is the level of pollution. To counter this, electric buses are a good solution. At the pace we're going, Karnataka is set to have the highest number of electric buses soon. In the future, we might also have hydro and solar-powered public transport. The research is still on," he added.

Buses deployed on 30 routes

• KR Market to: Motaganahalli (242-7A), Cholanayakanahalli (242-E), Jalahalli Cross (248), Yelahanka (G10), Anekal (366Z)

• Majestic to: Aralimarada Palya (242Y), Nelamangala (245 HA), Peenya 2nd Stage (252F), Bagalur (293S), Yelahanka (290 EY), Bilvaradahalli (365D), Anekal (365P)

• Banashankari to: Hebbal (500A), Harohalli (213V), Tin Factory (500L), Kanasawadi (374 - NM), Hebbal (501BH), Yeshwantpur (410FA)

• Hebbal to: Silk Board (500D), Nayandanahalli (501 NH)

• Kengeri to: Nelamangala (374 M), Dwarka Nagar (502 H)

• Kenchapura to Yeshwantpur (515 KY)

• Yelahanka to Peenya 2nd Stage (401 A)

• Hampinagara to Yelahanka (401B)

• Jayanagar 9th Block to Vijaynagar TTMC (60A)

• Kuvempunagar to Attibele (600F)

• Jigani APC Circle to KBS (365J)

• Srinagar to Domlur (201)