BMTC to roll out 320 AC electric buses in Bengaluru by May-end
After months of delay due to the lack of charging infrastructure, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to roll out 320 air-conditioned electric buses by the end of May. The new fleet, which is currently undergoing trial runs, will gradually replace the ageing Volvo buses operating on Vajra city routes and the Vayu Vajra services to Kempegowda International Airport.
The electric buses are being supplied by OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. As per the agreement, BMTC will pay ₹65.8 per km to the operator, and each bus is expected to run 250 km per day—adding up to 87,500 km annually.
'This marks the first time that air-conditioned electric buses are being added to the BMTC fleet,' said a senior BMTC official. 'We had initially planned to launch them earlier, but setting up charging infrastructure—especially at the airport premises—took longer than expected. It may take another 15 days to complete the work at the airport. However, we are confident of commencing full operations by the end of May.'
The 13-metre-long buses come with a low-floor design, making them more accessible to people with disabilities. Each bus is equipped with retractable ramps to support easier boarding, ensuring a more inclusive commute.
To manage operations of the new fleet, BMTC has earmarked four depots—Depot 7 in Subhashnagar, Depot 13 in Katriguppe, Depot 18 in Whitefield, and Depot 25 in HSR Layout.
Commuters who experienced the trial runs have expressed satisfaction with the new buses. Many highlighted the improved comfort and eco-friendliness compared to the older diesel-run models.
'The seats provide excellent support for the head, and the ride quality is good. However, I feel the suspension of the Volvo buses is good, since those buses are well-built and of good quality. But keeping in mind the environment I feel this is also good,' said Santosh Kumar, a commuter from Whitefield.
Sangeetha M. Rao, a daily passenger from Jayanagar, said that the bus is quieter and more comfortable. 'The electric buses are smoother and more modern. It's refreshing to ride in a vehicle that doesn't emit noise or smoke. I hope BMTC considers revising the fare structure now that they are saving on fuel costs. Making these services affordable will encourage more people to leave their cars behind and opt for public transport, which in turn will reduce traffic congestion and pollution.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shop owners take over Pedestrian Plaza; Police, GCC turn a blind eye
Chennai: Touted and unveiled as a show-piece 'smart' civic amenity, the 40-crore Pedestrian Plaza in T Nagar is now a chaotic free-for-all zone. Shop owners, in collusion with traffic police and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) personnel, have taken over the concrete pavements and installed makeshift stands to display their wares. The remaining space is occupied by their vehicles, throughout the day. When contacted, assistant engineer of ward 133, Anand, said the civic body had written to R1 and R4 police stations seeking support for towing the illegally parked vehicles. "They have agreed to provide support by Wednesday," he said. A police station located just a stone's throw away from the stretch has turned a blind eye to the encroachments. However, West Mambalam traffic enforcement wing inspector Sai Shameema said, "We are evacuating the vehicles parked illegally on Pedestrian Plaza, as and when we receive any specific complaints or during patrolling." But the officials are silent about the chaos on the pavement. Shop owners are the biggest culprits, as they occupy much of the paved walkway and then engage men to canvass among the pedestrians. The street furniture placed on the walkway has been flicked by shops according to their convenience. Push carts, semi-permanent structures selling eatables, construction materials, broken granites and open pits make it hazardous for young and old. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fastest Selling Plots of Mysore from 40L | 40+ Amenities PurpleBrick Learn More Undo It is dirty, noisy. Two-wheelers routinely mount the 15-metre-wide plaza, ride through it, and park haphazardly, reducing pedestrian space to barely three-four metres. The bollards that were meant to block vehicle entry were knocked over in several spots. Inaugurated in 2019 by GCC, the 700-metre stretch (1.4 km both ways) originally promised a seamless, vehicle-free walking experience. Today, it's anything but that. "There's a multi-level parking facility that can hold 100 cars and 200 bikes, but it has less than 10% occupancy every day. Neither police nor the GCC books people who park on the road. If they take action, people will start using the Multi-Level Parking (MLP) facility," said R Avinash, a resident. He added that cops must ban on-street parking on the entire stretch. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
GCC unveils list of 35,588 street vendors in 15 zones
Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has officially released a comprehensive list of 35,588 street vendors across its 15 administrative zones. This initiative is part of the ongoing implementation of the 2025 Street Vendors Survey, conducted under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission framework. The list, published on June 4, marks a critical step in recognizing the rights and contributions of street vendors to Chennai's urban economy. According to the GCC, this effort follows a Supreme Court directive from 2015, mandating the protection and promotion of street vendors' livelihoods through proper identification and licensing. To ensure transparency and public participation, the GCC will organize a series of public grievance redressal meetings at the zonal offices from June 16 to 18. These sessions will allow stakeholders to raise objections or provide clarifications regarding the published vendor lists. Subsequently, the final vendor selection will be completed by June 26, and identity cards will be issued on June 27. The published list is available for public viewing both online at and at designated zonal offices, and Urban Livelihood Centres located in Ripon Buildings. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Volvo's new advanced seatbelt will adapt to 'your' body in a crash to maximise protection
The Volvo multi-adaptive seatbelt can automatically adjust the load limiter according to your body shape and position to maximise protection Check Offers The three-point seatbelts have saved over a million lives since they were first introduced by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin in 1959. The fact that Volvo decided to make the design patent-free and shared it with other automakers makes it all the more special. The Swedish carmaker is now taking the technology a step ahead with its new multi-adaptive seatbelts, which will adapt to 'your" body in real-time in the event of a crash. Volvo Multi-Adaptive Seatbelt: Built for all Volvo's new multi-adaptive seatbelt will debut on the upcoming EX60 in 2026 and has been designed to protect your body, factoring in your height, weight, body shape and seating position. The tech uses data input from multiple sensors on the exterior and interior to customise protection. The technology is a step ahead of load limiters, which control the amount of force being safely applied on the seatbelt to protect the human body in case of a crash. Volvo claims its new multi-adaptive seatbelt expands the load-limiting profile from three to eleven, increasing the number of settings. The multi-adaptive seatbelt will work alongside airbags, occupant detection, and driver assistance systems to provide a broader safety net For perspective, a larger occupant will receive a higher belt load setting to protect them in a serious crash, to lower the risk of a head injury. On the other hand, a lighter individual will receive a lower belt load setting in case of a milder crash to reduce the risk of rib fractures. Volvo says that the multi-adaptive seatbelt technology will improve over time to maximise protection with the help of over-the-air updates. The automaker has a database of over 80,000 occupants involved in real-life accidents for over five decades, which has helped develop the new system. The new tech can calculate the load limiting rate 'in the blink of an eye" in the event of a crash and analyse direction, speed, and passenger posture to provide the most optimal setting on the seatbelt. The Volvo multi-adaptive seatbelt will debut on the EX60 set to arrive in 2026 The multi-adaptive seatbelt will work alongside the airbags, occupant detection, and driver assistance systems to provide a broader safety net and minimise the risk of subsequent injuries. The new seatbelt technology has been developed at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre crash lab, which can recreate almost any traffic accident, according to the company. The automaker further says the lab can perform tests exceeding regulatory requirements for real-world safety. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 06 Jun 2025, 19:08 PM IST
