BMTC to add double-decker, electric buses

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: On Friday, the Karnataka cabinet approved the operation of ten double-decker electric buses in Bengaluru.

Last September, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced the impending return of doubledecker buses to Bengaluru, and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) was poised to issue tenders for the procurement of these buses.

Simultaneously, the BMTC is gearing up to release tenders for 120 non-AC electric buses in Bengaluru.

These buses will be equipped with advanced features, including an Intelligent Transport Management System, Passenger Display Boards, CCTV systems, and panic buttons.

The tender process is scheduled to commence on February 13. Presently, the BMTC operates 390 electric buses, comprising 90 non-AC midi (9m) JBM-NTPC buses and 300 12m buses manufactured by Switch Mobility Ltd, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland.

During the inauguration of 100 non-AC Tata Motors Smart City Ltd buses at Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on December 26, expressed that Bengaluru is anticipated to have 1,400 electric buses by April 2024.

These 100 e-buses are part of the 921 non-AC Tata Motors e-buses being introduced under the Central government's FAME-II scheme. Concurrently, the BMTC has issued a tender for 320 AC e-buses for the third time.

The initial tender did not attract any bidders, and the second received only a single bid from Olectra Greentech Ltd (OGL), quoting Rs 85 per km for operating and maintaining e-buses.

Consequently, BMTC opted for a fresh tender process. The minister elaborated, stating, "Five routes are planned within the city," with the intention of deploying these buses on routes with high-density traffic.

Emphasising strategic planning, he noted that the routes must be designed to avoid obstacles such as underpasses for the double-decker buses.