<p>Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has commenced the trial run of air-conditioned, low-floor electric buses, which will replace ageing Volvo vehicles on airport and other premium routes. </p>.<p>This is the first time that AC e-buses are plying on city roads. </p>.<p>Ohm Mobility Private Limited, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will supply 320 AC e-buses to the BMTC under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC). </p>.<p>The BMTC is leasing these buses using Rs 150 crore in special funds released by the state government. </p>.<p>The corporation has received five buses and deployed all on the Kadugodi-Majestic route. The trial run began on January 10 and will go on for the next 10-15 days. During this period, the BMTC will assess the buses' charging capabilities, operational performance and passenger comfort, GT Prabhakara Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations), BMTC, told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span>. </p>.BMTC to introduce new route in non-AC service from January 16.<p>The buses can run up to 200 km on a full charge, which takes 60 to 70 minutes. While the buses will be eventually assigned to depot number 18 (ITPL), the BMTC is currently using the facility at the Kempegowda Bus Station, Majestic, for opportunity charging. </p>.<p>Opportunity charging refers to charging batteries in short intervals throughout the day. </p>.<p>These buses take 45 minutes for opportunity charging. </p>.<p>As per the contract, the manufacturer has to provide daily assured kilometres of 225 km for 350 days per year over 12 years. </p>.<p>Once these buses are deployed for full-scale operation, they will be attached to depot number 18 for full charging and sent to the Kadugodi Bus Station for opportunity charging, Reddy added. </p>.<p>The bus manufacturer is responsible for setting up the charging infrastructure at the BMTC's maintenance depots, terminals or other charging locations. </p>.<p>Reddy said these e-buses would be more economical than the Volvo vehicles. </p>.<p>The BMTC will pay Rs 65.8 per km to the manufacturer and spend another Rs 14 to 15 per km on conductor wages. The manufacturer will handle bus maintenance and deploy drivers. </p>.<p>The corporation has 484 Volvo buses in its fleet, including 352 Vajra and 132 Vayu Vajra buses. </p>.<p>Vayu Vajra (airport) buses cost Rs 84 per km to operate, but earn only Rs 72.33 per km. Vajra buses, which run on tech corridors and other premium routes, cost more than Rs 90 per km, but bring in only Rs 50.81 km. </p>.<p>Reddy added the BMTC would decide on inducting more buses based on trial run results. The manufacturer has promised speedy deliveries once all approvals come through, he added. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has commenced the trial run of air-conditioned, low-floor electric buses, which will replace ageing Volvo vehicles on airport and other premium routes. </p>.<p>This is the first time that AC e-buses are plying on city roads. </p>.<p>Ohm Mobility Private Limited, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will supply 320 AC e-buses to the BMTC under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC). </p>.<p>The BMTC is leasing these buses using Rs 150 crore in special funds released by the state government. </p>.<p>The corporation has received five buses and deployed all on the Kadugodi-Majestic route. The trial run began on January 10 and will go on for the next 10-15 days. During this period, the BMTC will assess the buses' charging capabilities, operational performance and passenger comfort, GT Prabhakara Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations), BMTC, told <span class="italic"><em>DH</em></span>. </p>.BMTC to introduce new route in non-AC service from January 16.<p>The buses can run up to 200 km on a full charge, which takes 60 to 70 minutes. While the buses will be eventually assigned to depot number 18 (ITPL), the BMTC is currently using the facility at the Kempegowda Bus Station, Majestic, for opportunity charging. </p>.<p>Opportunity charging refers to charging batteries in short intervals throughout the day. </p>.<p>These buses take 45 minutes for opportunity charging. </p>.<p>As per the contract, the manufacturer has to provide daily assured kilometres of 225 km for 350 days per year over 12 years. </p>.<p>Once these buses are deployed for full-scale operation, they will be attached to depot number 18 for full charging and sent to the Kadugodi Bus Station for opportunity charging, Reddy added. </p>.<p>The bus manufacturer is responsible for setting up the charging infrastructure at the BMTC's maintenance depots, terminals or other charging locations. </p>.<p>Reddy said these e-buses would be more economical than the Volvo vehicles. </p>.<p>The BMTC will pay Rs 65.8 per km to the manufacturer and spend another Rs 14 to 15 per km on conductor wages. The manufacturer will handle bus maintenance and deploy drivers. </p>.<p>The corporation has 484 Volvo buses in its fleet, including 352 Vajra and 132 Vayu Vajra buses. </p>.<p>Vayu Vajra (airport) buses cost Rs 84 per km to operate, but earn only Rs 72.33 per km. Vajra buses, which run on tech corridors and other premium routes, cost more than Rs 90 per km, but bring in only Rs 50.81 km. </p>.<p>Reddy added the BMTC would decide on inducting more buses based on trial run results. The manufacturer has promised speedy deliveries once all approvals come through, he added. </p>
