+
Chennai Becomes First in Tamil Nadu to Introduce 120 Green Buses
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Chennai Becomes First in Tamil Nadu to Introduce 120 Green Buses

Chief Minister MK Stalin launched 120 low-floor, non-air-conditioned electric buses from the Vyasarpadi depot of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) on Monday, marking the first deployment of electric buses by a state-run transport body in Tamil Nadu.

Each bus, once fully charged in around two hours, can cover a distance of up to 200 km. These buses are equipped with 13 emergency panic buttons, four surveillance cameras, a mobile charging point for every two seats, and a public announcement system. The electric buses feature a mix of low-floor seats at the front and high-floor seats at the rear, with the floor height adjustable from 400mm to 250mm to enhance accessibility, including for disabled passengers.

An electric vehicle charging station, constructed at a cost of Rs 470.5 million, was also inaugurated as part of this green initiative. The newly inducted fleet, which cost Rs 2.07 billion, falls under the Chennai Sustainable Urban Services Program (C-SUSP), supported by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

In response to earlier complaints about poor ventilation in previously introduced low-floor buses, the MTC has made design adjustments in the new fleet, including increased window height and the addition of sliding windows in the rear section.

These 120 electric buses are part of the first phase of a larger plan to introduce 650 electric buses in the city, with a total target of 1,225 e-buses eventually operating across Chennai. The current fleet has been deployed on 11 routes as deluxe services.

Officials confirmed that these new buses are meant to enhance existing services without reducing the number of current ones. They will operate under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, wherein a private operator is responsible for building, running, and maintaining the buses over a 12-year period. MTC will pay Rs 77.16 per km to OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and SWITCH Mobility, which manufactured the buses.

While conductors hired on contract by MTC will be deployed in the buses, ticketing will be carried out exclusively through electronic machines.

The 11 routes for the new buses include:
  • K Kannadasan Nagar to K Kannadasan Nagar (2B, circular route via Anna Square, Central, and Vyasarpadi)
  • Broadway to Kilambakkam (18A)
  • K Kannadasan Nagar circular routes (C33 and C64 via Moolakadai, Choolai, Central, and Broadway)
  • Poonamallee to Vallalar Nagar (37)
  • M K B Nagar to MGR Koyambedu (46G)
  • Vallalar Nagar to Redhills (57)
  • Vallalar Nagar to Periyapalayam (57X)
  • Manali to Perambur (164E)
  • M K B Nagar to Kilambakkam (170TX)
  • T V K Nagar to Guindy TVK Estate. 

News source: New Indian Express

Chief Minister MK Stalin launched 120 low-floor, non-air-conditioned electric buses from the Vyasarpadi depot of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) on Monday, marking the first deployment of electric buses by a state-run transport body in Tamil Nadu.Each bus, once fully charged in around two hours, can cover a distance of up to 200 km. These buses are equipped with 13 emergency panic buttons, four surveillance cameras, a mobile charging point for every two seats, and a public announcement system. The electric buses feature a mix of low-floor seats at the front and high-floor seats at the rear, with the floor height adjustable from 400mm to 250mm to enhance accessibility, including for disabled passengers.An electric vehicle charging station, constructed at a cost of Rs 470.5 million, was also inaugurated as part of this green initiative. The newly inducted fleet, which cost Rs 2.07 billion, falls under the Chennai Sustainable Urban Services Program (C-SUSP), supported by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).In response to earlier complaints about poor ventilation in previously introduced low-floor buses, the MTC has made design adjustments in the new fleet, including increased window height and the addition of sliding windows in the rear section.These 120 electric buses are part of the first phase of a larger plan to introduce 650 electric buses in the city, with a total target of 1,225 e-buses eventually operating across Chennai. The current fleet has been deployed on 11 routes as deluxe services.Officials confirmed that these new buses are meant to enhance existing services without reducing the number of current ones. They will operate under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, wherein a private operator is responsible for building, running, and maintaining the buses over a 12-year period. MTC will pay Rs 77.16 per km to OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and SWITCH Mobility, which manufactured the buses.While conductors hired on contract by MTC will be deployed in the buses, ticketing will be carried out exclusively through electronic machines.The 11 routes for the new buses include:K Kannadasan Nagar to K Kannadasan Nagar (2B, circular route via Anna Square, Central, and Vyasarpadi)Broadway to Kilambakkam (18A)K Kannadasan Nagar circular routes (C33 and C64 via Moolakadai, Choolai, Central, and Broadway)Poonamallee to Vallalar Nagar (37)M K B Nagar to MGR Koyambedu (46G)Vallalar Nagar to Redhills (57)Vallalar Nagar to Periyapalayam (57X)Manali to Perambur (164E)M K B Nagar to Kilambakkam (170TX)T V K Nagar to Guindy TVK Estate. News source: New Indian Express

Next Story
Real Estate

DLF Returns to Mumbai with Premium Andheri Residential Project

Delhi-NCR based real estate major DLF announced its return to the Mumbai market on 17 July with the launch of its premium residential project, The WestPark, in Andheri. The first phase includes 416 apartments spread across four towers, with two towers launched on the announcement day. The company plans to invest over Rs 8 billion in the project and expects a topline exceeding Rs 20 billion from Phase 1.“We have launched two towers and, given the strong response, plan to unveil the remaining two towers ahead of schedule, within the next few days,” said Aakash Ohri, Joint Managing Director o..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

APCRDA Advances Net Zero Goal with IGBC Training for Officials

In a significant stride towards Andhra Pradesh’s Net Zero target by 2040 and the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), in partnership with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), conducted a high-level capacity-building programme for senior officials in Vijayawada on Friday.Held at a city hotel, the session saw the participation of over 50 senior APCRDA officials, including the Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer (H&B), Director (Planning), Director (Environment), and heads of key departments. The training centred on IGBC’s Green B..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Assam Solar Project Halted as Waaree EPC Contract Is Cancelled

Following the Assam government’s withdrawal from its proposed solar project, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract awarded to Waaree Renewable has been suspended. Waaree Group’s EPC division informed the stock exchange of this development through a regulatory filing.The Assam solar project was suspended due to funding challenges, which rendered the initiative unviable for the state government. Waaree Renewable Transmission Limited (RTL) explained that the Government of Assam has withdrawn the project’s funding via the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan. Consequentl..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?