BMTC to Introduce New Diesel and Electric Buses to Meet Rising Demand

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is set to introduce dozens of new diesel buses by the end of September as part of an ongoing effort to expand its fleet and replace ageing vehicles. According to BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R., this move is essential to meet the rising demand driven by the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel to women in Karnataka.

The corporation has already received a prototype diesel bus from Ashok Leyland, the company awarded the contract to supply 821 buses that comply with Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms. The prototype bus underwent rigorous tests during a month-long trial and successfully met all technical requirements. “Fifty buses will be rolled out by the end of September and deployed across various routes in the city,” Ramachandran said. The remaining 820 buses are expected to be delivered in 2024.

The BMTC’s decision to expand its fleet comes in response to the growing ridership brought about by the Shakti scheme. Since the scheme’s launch, daily ridership has surged from 27.4 lakh to 40 lakh. However, the BMTC’s fleet has shrunk from 6,888 to 6,200 due to the scrapping of outdated buses.

“We are under pressure to increase our fleet to cater to the demand, particularly after the introduction of the Shakti scheme, which has significantly boosted female ridership. We have had to scrap 2,000 buses but have only replaced 800 so far,” Ramachandran explained.

Expanding Fleet with Diesel and Electric Buses

In an effort to bridge the gap between rising demand and an outdated fleet, BMTC plans to procure or lease 2,211 new buses. This includes 920 non-AC electric buses, 820 diesel buses, and 320 AC electric buses.

The BMTC’s fleet expansion is already well underway with 630 non-AC electric buses on the road. Another 290 buses are expected to be deployed by November. These buses are manufactured by Tata Motors subsidiary TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd at its Dharwad plant and are being leased at Rs 41 per kilometre. The lease arrangement includes the provision of drivers by the company.

“Though all 920 non-AC electric buses are contracted to be delivered by March 2025, things are progressing faster than anticipated. Out of the 920 buses, 630 are already operational, and another 120 have been delivered and are in the process of registration. The remaining buses should be on the road by November,” Ramachandran noted.

Electric AC Buses to Replace Ageing Fleet

In mid-October, BMTC expects to receive a prototype for its AC electric bus fleet. OHM Global Mobility Limited, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, won the bid to lease 320 AC electric buses, which will replace ageing Volvo buses. These electric buses will primarily serve high-demand routes, including airport transfers, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for the city’s public transport needs.

As BMTC prepares to scale up its fleet, it is also addressing the operational demands that come with it. To manage the increased number of buses, the corporation is in the process of hiring 2,500 conductors. A significant portion of these new hires will be assigned to the leased electric buses, ensuring smooth operations for the expanding fleet.

G T Prabhakara Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) at BMTC, expressed optimism about the fleet expansion. “With the new buses, we will not only be able to meet the growing demand but also significantly improve the quality of service,” he said.

The addition of both diesel and electric buses is seen as a crucial step for BMTC to modernise its fleet, reduce its environmental impact, and continue providing essential transport services to Bengaluru’s growing population.