BMTC e-bus

Bengaluru: As many as 100 conductor-less mini electric buses will soon be seen on Metro feeder (MF) routes in Bengaluru. The BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) will be introducing these new buses in a bid to boost first and last-mile connectivity.

These BMTC mini e-buses will be six metres long. BMTC officials said these buses, each with a capacity of 20 seats, will be deployed on narrow roads and areas surrounding Metro stations.

According to officials, these e-buses are likely to charge a flat fare or pass or smartcard-based travel option since the buses won’t have conductors, a Times of India report said.

These buses could run on congested, narrow roads that are 30-40 feet wide.

The quick turnaround of these mini buses will facilitate faster movement and help increase the frequency making it ideal for Metro feeder routes, the official added.

Moreover, in other news, after the successful operation of 90 electric mini-buses, the BMTC is planning to launch 300 electric buses of 12 meters in length in Bengaluru.

At present, 90 non-AC midi e-buses are operating from Yeshwantpur, KR Puram, and Kengeri depots, mainly on Metro feeder (MF) bus routes.

As many as 30 buses are operational from Yeshwantpur depot: MF-258CB Yeshwantpur-Nelamangala (10 buses), MF-401 Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka (10), MF-410 FA Yeshwantpur-Banashankari (4), and MF-401RH Hebbal-Vijayanagar (6).

Similarly, there are 30 buses from KR Puram: MF-300E Shivajinagar-KR Puram (8), MF-304K Tin Factory-Channasandra (11), and MF-500L Tin Factory-Banashankari (11).

All routes except MF-300E (Shivajinagar-KR Puram) are ones that connect to Metro. But this route will also help passengers once the Kalena Agrahara (Gottigere)-Nagawara section (Pink Line) opens, a BMTC official said.

In September 2021, Ashok Leyland emerged as the lowest bidder in the 300 e-bus tenders under the Centre’s FAME II scheme, and as per BMTC officials, Switch Mobility Ltd, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, will supply and operate all 300 12 metres non-AC e-buses.

Till June 2022, 12 buses from the manufacturer were received.

Courtesy:Times Now News