If everything goes according to plan, over 350 electric buses will be pressed into service soon on the roads of Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi.
The North-Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), in order to provide better and luxurious service to its commuters, has floated a tender to get 350 e-buses on a gross cost contract (GCC) model, which is getting closed.
With increased passenger load after the introduction of the 'Shakti' scheme offering free bus travel for women, the need for new buses is very strong now.
According to sources, the exhaust fumes of diesel buses are a health hazard in big cities and are extremely unpleasant. Electric buses have zero emissions. An e-bus offers better performance both in terms of drivability, maintenance and consumption.
Currently NWKRTC is spending Rs 48 per km. If bidder quotes less than this, definitely the e-bus service will help improve the financial condition of the Corporation along with service.
These e-buses are proposed to be operated on city and mofussil routes from Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi. Looking at the environment-friendly benefits of using electrical buses in urban transportation and also on mofussil routes, the NWKRTC has come out with a plan of introducing e-bus services in Hubballi-Dharwad and also in Belgavi.
Under the GCC model, the service provider has to procure, operate and maintain non-AC e-buses. The operator has to develop charging facilities in the space provided by the NWKRTC, and arrange drivers also. NWKRTC will have conductors, and it will pay the company the price fixed for each kilometre of bus operation.
As per NWKRTC’s plan, 150 electric buses will be for city service of which 100 for Hubballi-Dharwad and 50 for Belagavi. Remaining 200 buses for mofussil routes from Hubballi and Belagavi to nearby towns.
Priyanga M, managing director, NWKRTC, said: “For the first time, we are going to use e-buses. Bidding for the e-bus project closed on May 20. Already, electrical buses are being used in Bengaluru. Looking at the performance and response there, we have planned for e-buses here on GCC basis.”
Sources said that the selected service provider has to be ready with facilities like charging stations within six months of the award of the contract. Three places have been identified for charging stations and it has been planned to provide charging facilities at some selected bus terminals to charge buses. The contract will be for 10 years.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Abbas Mulla
Quelle/Source: The Times of India, 20.05.2024
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