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Time of India
05-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chennai adds 135 e-buses, focuses on IT corridor
Chennai: Nearly a month after launching 120 electric buses from Vyasarpadi depot, Chennai will to roll out 135 more e-buses, including 55 air-conditioned, from Aug 11. The new fleet will operate across 13 routes from the newly upgraded Perumbakkam depot, and will begin covering OMR. Key routes include Siruseri to Airport (MAA 2), CMBT to Kilambakkam (570), Broadway to Kelambakkam (102), T Nagar to Thiruporur (19), Thiruvanmiyur to Kilambakkam (95X), and Kilambakkam to Sholinganallur (555S). "This fleet meets the demands of IT corridor commuters, which the Vyasarpadi fleet did not," said MTC GM (operations) S Nedunsezhian. This is Chennai's first batch of AC e-buses. Non-AC e-buses will follow the deluxe fare, and AC buses will use the regular AC fare, said MTC MD T Prabhushankar. MTC plans to add 170 more AC e-buses. The buses were set up by OHM Global Mobility (an Ashok Leyland subsidiary) for 233.75crore. Each 12m bus has 39 seats, four CCTV cameras, wheelchair ramps, reserved seats for the elderly and disabled, stop-request buttons, and a kneeling function lowered to 250mm. GPS-connected systems provide LED-based stop alerts. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Perumbakkam depot, upgraded at a cost 49.56crore, can simultaneously charge 32 buses, each capable of running for 200km on two hours of charge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bo Derek's Probably The Most Gorgeous 68-Year-Old. Paperela Undo These features are identical to those at the Vyasarpadi depot. OHM will operate the buses and appoint drivers, while MTC will pay OHM per kilometre of service. "This model helps us manage tech and environmental risks and addresses our driver shortage," Nedunsezhian added. While the Vyasarpadi fleet has three women drivers and 17 female conductors, Perumbakkam is expected to onboard more women once training is complete, said an OHM spokesperson. Vyasarpadi and Perumbakkam are part of MTC's first phase of 625 electric buses, costing 697crore. In Phase 1, more buses will go to Central (145), Tondiarpet 1 (100), and Poonamallee (125) by Feb 2026. Phase 2 will add 800 more buses across the city.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MTC inks pact with firms for launching CNG filling stations
Chennai: In a push towards alternative fuels, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has signed agreements with two gas distribution firms — Torrent Gas Chennai Pvt Ltd and THINK Gas — for setting up compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations at two bus depots. The CNG stations will be established at MTC's existing Ambattur depot and the proposed Varadharajapuram depot along the Outer Ring Road. Torrent Gas will oversee operations in Chennai and Tiruvallur, while THINK Gas will manage the Kancheepuram and Chengalpet regions. MTC plans to convert 240 diesel-run buses into CNG-powered vehicles. Over time, 1,000 additional buses will be converted. "Ambattur was chosen as our first location because it already has a pipeline network. Varadharajapuram, on the other hand, is right along the Outer Ring Road, making it logistically ideal," said T Prabhushankar, managing director of MTC. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The gas suppliers will handle the construction of the filling stations. THINK Gas's upcoming station in Varadharajapuram will be designed to handle up to 125 buses a day, with a dispensing capacity of 7,000 kg/day, said N T Thirukkumaran, regional head (Kancheepuram), THINK Gas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Sverdlovskaya Oblast - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo However, laying groundwork comes with its own challenges. "Getting local clearances, right of way (RoW) permit, and district administrative approvals are the main challenges," he added. To make the switch financially viable, MTC has arrived at a favourable pricing plan. For the first three years, the fuel will be priced 6% lower than diesel's landed cost, which translates to around 85.2 when diesel is 90.65 a litre. A 4 per unit discount will follow for the rest of the agreement's duration. Torrent Gas did not respond to requests for comment.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MTC double-deckers to return in electric avatar under NCAP
Chennai: Once beloved on Chennai's roads, the iconic double-decker buses are set for a nostalgic comeback by the end of this year. This time, they'll return in an all-electric avatar not just for daily commuting, but also to give a fresh boost to city tourism. Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), long known as the city's public transport backbone, is preparing to don a new role as driver of heritage and recreational tourism. With 20 electric double-decker buses sanctioned under the national clean air programme (NCAP), MTC plans to operate these vehicles on heritage routes on weekends, and on high-demand routes on weekdays. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The project, with an investment of 10crore under NCAP, will follow the gross cost contract model, where a private contractor will operate the buses and be paid per kilometre. State govt will retain control over route planning and fare fixation. "We will be calling for tenders soon, and the buses are expected to roll out by year-end," said T Prabhushankar, managing director, MTC. "Apart from their regular use, these buses will run on select tourist circuits on weekends when commuter patronage is low. These tours will be pre-booked." Proposed heritage routes include Anna Salai, Kamarajar Salai, and other arterial roads, as well as East Coast Road leading to Mahabalipuram. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hanoi: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo "We are planning to onboard tourist guides who can narrate the history of landmarks along the way," he added. Chennai follows the lead of cities such as Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, which have recently reintroduced electric double-decker buses. For Chennaiites, the sight of double-deckers evokes strong nostalgia. First introduced in the 1970s, they were taken off the roads in the 1980s, brought back briefly in 1997, and ran on the 18A route from high court to Tambaram until 2008. Sriharan Balan, chairman of SICCI tourism committee, described it as a 'big bus' concept. "These buses are popular in many cities across the world, often operating as hop-on hop-off services. Here, it's being introduced as a scheduled ride, so the experience will be different. This is a welcome move the city needs more attractions to boost its tourism appeal." Electric double-decker buses are not only environmentally friendly but also highly efficient, with a capacity of nearly 90 passengers about 1.5 times that of a single-decker electric bus. In a city such as Chennai, where buses often run overcrowded, introducing these double-deckers on high-demand corridors can significantly enhance passenger comfort, as they are particularly effective on short-distance, high-ridership routes with limited height restrictions. Mumbai's BEST currently operates 50 AC electric double-deckers, deployed as feeders to suburban train stations, and plans to expand the fleet to 1,000. For Chennai, adopting low-floor electric double-deckers would not only improve accessibility for all passengers, including the elderly and differently-abled, but if well-marketed, they could be a signature of Chennai's public transport system, much like London's red double-deckers, while promoting sustainable urban mobility. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
New Indian Express
02-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
240 diesel-buses to be fuelled by CNG, MTC puts pedal to metal to save cost
CHENNAI: Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will convert 240 of its diesel-run buses into compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as part of the transport department's initiative to convert 1,000 buses into CNG vehicles. Of these, 120 will be assigned to the Ambattur depot, while the remaining are designated for the upcoming Varatharajapuram depot near Mudichur along Outer Ring Road, which is yet to be constructed. Both depots will operate exclusively with CNG-powered buses. To support this transition, MTC has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two city gas distribution companies -- Think Gas and Torrent Gas. Think Gas will develop the necessary CNG infrastructure at the Varatharajapuram depot, while Torrent Gas will handle CNG supply at the Ambattur depot. Each company is also responsible for establishing refuelling facilities within the respective depots. T Prabhushankar, Managing Director of MTC, told TNIE that under the MoUs, the price of CNG will be fixed at a 6% discount on the diesel landing cost. 'For example, if diesel is priced at Rs 90.65 per litre, the corresponding landing cost would be Rs 85.20. This figure will serve as the base rate for purchasing CNG for the first six years of the 15-year agreement. As a result, MTC will be able to procure CNG at a rate lower than the retail market price,' he explained. The CNG refuelling stations will include two segments: one exclusively for MTC's use and the other as a retail station for highway and road users. MTC will earn rental income from leasing land to the gas suppliers. Tenders for the construction of the Varatharajapuram depot are expected to be issued soon, Prabhushankar added.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
First batch of e-buses set to roll out in June
Chennai: After a prolonged wait, Chennai is set to get its first batch of electric buses , with 120 scheduled to be operated in the first week of June. These low-floor buses, to be operated from the revamped Vyasarpadi depot, mark the city's shift towards greener public electric fleet will be run by OHM Global Mobility , a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, under a gross cost contract (GCC) model. The initial rollout will serve routes in and around Vyasarpadi, including 46G (MKB Nagar-Koyambedu), 2A (Anna Square-Kannadasan Nagar), and 37G (Kannadasan Nagar-Iyyappanthangal). The Vyasarpadi fleet will consist of 40 non-air-conditioned second batch, comprising 135 buses from Perumbakkam depot, will include 55 air-conditioned buses, with the rest being non-A/C. The depots at Poonamallee (45 A/C, 80 non-A/C), Central (100 A/C, 45 non-A/C), and Tondiarpet (23 A/C, 75 non-A/C) have also undergone infrastructure upgrades to support electric bus operations. "Each depot now has space allocated for charging stations and maintenance yards," said T Prabhushankar, MTC managing each bus costs between 1.2 crore and 1.5 crore, MTC did not purchase them outright. Instead, under the GCC model, it signed an agreement with OHM Mobility to supply and operate the buses on routes assigned by MTC. The transport corporation will retain fare collection revenue and pay OHM a fixed rate per kilometre. All technical operations, including driving, maintenance, and repairs, will be handled by OHM's commuters in the city's suburbs, particularly along the northern and western stretches, this rollout is expected to replace old, worn-out buses. Shankaran A, a resident-activist from Maangadu, said, "Most of the new blue buses are deployed inside the city where ticket collection is high, while older buses are shifted to the outskirts."
