<p>After months of trial runs and infrastructure arrangements, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will finally launch electric air-conditioned buses from the Kempegowda International Airport. </p>.<p>Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy will flag off the first batch of buses at the BMTC bus lounge in Terminal 2 on Thursday. </p>.<p>The BMTC will operate a total of 195 AC e-buses on airport routes (Vayu Vajra), expanding its electric fleet to 1,779, a senior official said. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The BMTC’s plans to operate AC e-buses on the Vayu Vajra route were delayed by the slow installation of charging infrastructure at the airport. </p>.<p class="bodytext">It has now set up a charging station with six chargers about one km away from Terminal 2 for opportunity charging, which takes 45-60 minutes. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The BMTC has leased these AC e-buses from Ohm Global Mobility Ltd under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) as part of a 320-vehicle order funded by Rs 150-crore special government grants. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The remaining 125 e-buses are already running on non-airport premium routes (Vajra). </p>.<p class="bodytext">Each bus can travel up to 200 km on a full charge (60-70 minutes). The manufacturer provides daily assured kilometres of 225 km for 350 days annually over 12 years, besides handling maintenance and driver deployment. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The AC e-buses will replace the BMTC’s ageing fleet of Volvo buses. The corporation currently has 434 Volvo buses, including 150 on the airport route, the official said. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The BMTC, which once had 560 Volvo buses, is now left with only 484, including 352 Vajra and 132 Vayu Vajra buses. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Vayu Vajra (airport) buses cost Rs 84 per km to operate but earn only Rs 72.33 per km. Vajra buses cost over Rs 90 per km but bring in only Rs 50.81 km. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In contrast, AC e-buses cost Rs 65.8 per km and another Rs 14-15 per km for conductor wages. </p>
<p>After months of trial runs and infrastructure arrangements, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will finally launch electric air-conditioned buses from the Kempegowda International Airport. </p>.<p>Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy will flag off the first batch of buses at the BMTC bus lounge in Terminal 2 on Thursday. </p>.<p>The BMTC will operate a total of 195 AC e-buses on airport routes (Vayu Vajra), expanding its electric fleet to 1,779, a senior official said. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The BMTC’s plans to operate AC e-buses on the Vayu Vajra route were delayed by the slow installation of charging infrastructure at the airport. </p>.<p class="bodytext">It has now set up a charging station with six chargers about one km away from Terminal 2 for opportunity charging, which takes 45-60 minutes. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The BMTC has leased these AC e-buses from Ohm Global Mobility Ltd under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) as part of a 320-vehicle order funded by Rs 150-crore special government grants. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The remaining 125 e-buses are already running on non-airport premium routes (Vajra). </p>.<p class="bodytext">Each bus can travel up to 200 km on a full charge (60-70 minutes). The manufacturer provides daily assured kilometres of 225 km for 350 days annually over 12 years, besides handling maintenance and driver deployment. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The AC e-buses will replace the BMTC’s ageing fleet of Volvo buses. The corporation currently has 434 Volvo buses, including 150 on the airport route, the official said. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The BMTC, which once had 560 Volvo buses, is now left with only 484, including 352 Vajra and 132 Vayu Vajra buses. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Vayu Vajra (airport) buses cost Rs 84 per km to operate but earn only Rs 72.33 per km. Vajra buses cost over Rs 90 per km but bring in only Rs 50.81 km. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In contrast, AC e-buses cost Rs 65.8 per km and another Rs 14-15 per km for conductor wages. </p>
