The city of Bengaluru has got its first electric bus, which is part of a proposed fleet of 90 electric buses operated by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). JMB Auto delivered the bus, which was then officially unveiled by the state Transport Minister on Friday. After receiving a permit from the Transport Department, the electric bus that has arrived in the city will begin on trial runs.
Apart from the driver, the electric bus is 9 metres long and seats 33 people. It has a range of 120 kilometres and a top speed of 70 kilometres per hour on a single charge. In 45 minutes, a fast charging device can charge the bus up to 60%. To ensure passenger safety, there are two CCTV cameras at the front and back of the bus. At the front and rear ends of the bus, large automatic doors have been installed. The bus has a 1-plus-1 seating configuration. Riders have been provided safety buttons along the seats so that they can warn the driver if anything goes wrong. When the driver is alerted, he or she can pull over to the side of the road and inquire further.
The Minister revealed that a total of 90 buses worth Rs. 130 crore would be purchased for Bengaluru.The National Thermal Power Corporation, Vypar Vidyut Nigam, is leasing the buses and announced that Karnataka will add 300 more electric buses in the coming days. In the following two months, ten more electric buses will be added to Bengaluru’s fleet.
Read/Add Comments