AICTSL to modernise bus stops, introduce electric buses

Atal Indore City Transport Service Limited (AICTSL) has decided to change the design of its city bus stops to help it allot on build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode. The authority has identified around 600 locations across the city to erect as many bus stops.AICTSL CEO Manoj Pathak told TOI that the old design of the bus stops was the reason why the tenders for the same were unsuccessful. He added that the authority has decided to allot installation of new bus stops on build-operate-transport (BOT) mode and therefore, required changes in the design will be made.Pathak said that there are suggestions of installing LED screens along with further modernisation in design of the existing bus-stops. He added that AICTSL is exploring all possible changes in the designs to help erect around 600 bus-stops across the city.In addition to changing the design of the bus stops, AICTSL has also chalked out a plan to acquire 80 electric buses to run 30 of them on BRTS and remaining 50 across the city. Pathak said that a model has been finalized, in which, AICTSL will collect revenue from 30 electric buses to be operated on BRTS while the contractor company will meet its expenses by running 50 EV buses on different routes across Indore.As a new source of income, AICTSL will allow advertisements on the grab handlebars in around 80 buses at Rs 1,500/month per vehicle while an optical fiber line on BRTS Corridor will be given on lease. Pathak said that AICTSL is also working on a concept to develop a multistory structure at the city and I-bus depot to use the ground floor for parking and give the upper floors on rent.