Ten tier-2 communities in the state will soon receive e-buses as part of the PM-eBus Sewa program, marking a significant move towards e-mobility.
The state-run transport businesses are the ones who rent these buses. Five cities—Mysuru, Hubballi and Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Mangaluru—will each receive 100 buses, according to Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, in response to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha member Veerendra Heggade during the current Parliament session. There will be 50 buses each for the five medium-sized cities of Shivamogga, Vijayapura, Ballari, Davanagere, and Tumakuru.
The minister clarified in his response that Bengaluru and Udupi cities are not eligible for the benefit in accordance with the scheme parameters.
According to State Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, buses are not licensed by the state under the program. “Instead, these buses are given to private firms, and we take them on a rental basis,” he stated.
750 buses to secondary cities are expected to enhance public transportation infrastructure, according to experts. “It is a good move to fight climate change,” according to city civic activist and energy expert Bhamy V. Shenoy. “For a city like Mysuru, one hundred buses is insufficient.” “However, it’s a good start.” “Young commuters who are currently reliant on private vehicles are anticipated to be drawn to e-buses.” “These buses must be used by KSRTC to serve underserved areas,” he stated.
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