Bengaluru To Go Green, BMTC Set To Receive 320 AC Electric Buses By March 2025: Report

The plan to introduce new electric air-conditioned buses on essential city routes in Bengaluru has been reported by The Hindu.

It is anticipated that a total of 320 AC electric buses will be put into operation in Bengaluru, beginning in March 2025.

The contract for this initiative has been awarded to OHM Global Mobility, and these buses are intended to replace the existing Vayu Vajra buses. According to officials from BMTC, OHM Global Mobility will operate these electric AC buses, with BMTC paying ₹65 per kilometre for their operation.

The prototype of these buses is expected to arrive within three months, and the delivery of approximately 320 buses is scheduled to be completed by March 2025. This transition to electric buses represents a significant step for BMTC in its move towards sustainable transportation, as reported by Hindustan Times.

OHM Global Mobility will be responsible for deploying drivers and managing the charging of these buses, while conductors will continue to be employed by BMTC. Furthermore, the BMTC is contemplating the reintroduction of double-decker buses, this time in electric variants.

These AC electric buses are planned to operate from Subhash Nagar, Katriguppa, Whitefield, and HSR Layout. The Karnataka government had previously announced plans to add a total of 1,400 electric buses to BMTC's fleet within this year. Presently, BMTC operates a total of 390 electric buses on the roads of Bengaluru, as per media reports.

Bengaluru's new fleet of electric buses features state-of-the-art specifications, including:

• Low-floor Design: Ensuring easy boarding and alighting for passengers.
• Full Air Conditioning: Providing a comfortable travel experience in all seasons.
• 13 Metres Long: Offering ample seating capacity for urban commuters.
• Disabled-Friendly: Equipped with retractable ramps to accommodate passengers with disabilities.
• Daily Run of 250 Kilometres: Each bus is designed for a minimum daily operation of 250 kilometres.

Officials have outlined stringent operational requirements, with each bus expected to cover 87,500 kilometres annually, contributing to sustainable urban mobility, as reported by The Hindu.

Of the current 6,147 BMTC fleet buses:

• 5,643 are diesel buses
• 503 are electric buses (Non-AC), comprising:
• 90 Midi (9-metre) buses
• 300 Standard (12-metre) buses
• 113 Low-floor (12-metre) buses

The deployment of the new AC electric buses will be strategically managed across four selected depots:

• Depot 7 (Subhash Nagar)
• Depot 13 (Katriguppe)
• Depot 18 (Whitefield)
• Depot 25 (HSR Layout)

This modernization initiative underscores Bengaluru's commitment to sustainable public transportation and improved urban mobility.