Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), is preparing to introduce AC-electric buses on routes that connect Kempegowda International Airport. The prototype of these buses is expected to arrive in Nov, and the transport corporation will eventually replace all the existing Volvo AC buses, known as ‘Vayu Vajra’, currently operating on 17 routes.
BMTC entered into a lease agreement with OHM Global Mobility (an Ashok Leyland subsidiary) for 320 AC ebuses on a gross-cost contract basis. According to a senior BMTC representative, approximately 140 Volvo buses are currently operating on airport routes in various parts of the City. They will all be replaced with e-vehicles. The remaining buses will be used on other routes.
“Once we have received the prototype, all necessary tests will be conducted.”
The private operator can start supplying the buses only after we give our approval, an official said. BMTC originally planned to induct all buses by the end of March 2025. The private operator will be charged INR 65 per kilometer as an operational cost.
The decision to use AC e-buses for airport routes is based upon several factors. First, the vehicle utilisation on these routes is much higher, with buses covering 300km per day compared to an average of 200km in city buses. The leased fleet can be used to its full potential on airport routes. The replacement of existing buses is also a way to improve the local travel experience of air passengers.
BMTC now has a fleet of over 1,000 electric buses — all non-AC — operating within the city limits. Since more than 15 year, the corporation has provided bus services from the central business district, as well as other areas like Electronics City and Whitefield, to the airport located 34km away from the city.
According to the officials from Hyderabad, Olectra Greentech Ltd is likely to provide the first protoype of the ebus by December 15th.
These bus services are still affordable for passengers who travel to the airport despite the increased competition from ride-hailing applications. Officials say that between 13,000 and 14,000 people use the buses every day. Passengers have recently expressed concerns about the ageing bus fleet operating on airport routes. Initially, only AC buses with the brand name ‘Vayu Vajra’ were used on the route.
After the pandemic, the corporation began running Vajra busses, which were designed primarily for city commuting. Officials have maintained that Vayu Vajra is the same as Vajra when it comes to the travel experience. The airport route bus is still profitable for the company, as many people who work at airports prefer to travel by it.
