Expanding its electric buses range, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has announced to increase the number of electric buses in its fleet in the next months to replace all of Bengaluru’s diesel buses with EVs.
With several producers of electric buses, it has already made orders.
The electric buses services are expected to start in March.
Sources from the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) said that Switch Mobility, Ashok Leyland’s EV subsidiary, won the bid competition for five double-decker AC e-buses for Rs 10 crore. The deadline for submitting bids was on Thursday.
“Switch EiV 22, India’s first electric AC double-decker bus, was recently rolled out. Mumbai’s BEST has already placed orders for 200 electric double-deckers and the first set of 22 such buses is now operational there. In fact, there are no other qualified manufacturers in the AC double-decker e-bus segment so far. Our plan is to roll out the AC double-decker e-bus before the election model code of conduct kicks in,” a BMTC source said.
Confirming the move, BMTC director (IT) AV Surya Sen said, “We may get the first AC double-decker electric bus by March and another four by April-May. We’re thinking of operating on Hebbal-Silk Board for regular passenger service and the fare will be the same as Vajra (Volvo AC) fare.”
Recently, the BMTC issued this tender for the acquisition of five double-decker AC e-buses using DULT funding.
The battery life of Switch’s electric AC double-decker buses, made in India, is rated at up to 250 kilometres. Wide front and back doors, two staircases, and an emergency entrance are all elements of the EiV 22 e-bus. There is enough for 65 seated people.
The first double-deckers will be used for regular passenger service on the Hebbal-Silk Board route, and the fare will be the same as the Vajra (Volvo AC) fare.
Adults ride the Vajra bus for a minimum price of Rs. 10. Now, a monthly membership costs ₹1,800 while a daily Vajra pass is ₹120.
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