KSRTC can operate 50 e-buses at 6 inter-city routes

Bengaluru: You can immediately travel with the KSRTC electric bus from Bengaluru to MySuru, Madikeri, Virajpet, Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere and Shivamogga.
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation identifies six inter-city routes to operate 50 AC electric buses under the second phase of the adoption scheme and manufacturing of hybrid and electrical vehicles (FAME).
Officials said Olectra Greentech Limited (OGL) based in Hyderabad appeared with the lowest bidder in the Fame-II KSRTC tender.
This will be a 12-year contract where the KSRTC will pay by per km.
Olectra reportedly quoted Rs 62 / km, including electricity, in the tender and reduced it to Rs 55 / Km after negotiations with KSRTC officials.
“The KSRTC Board is expected to approve the tender at the next meeting.
After cleaning, we will approach the Heavy Industries Department (DHI) to extend the Fame-II deadline, namely March 2021.
We have signaled them about delays because of the pandemic.
We will issue work orders to the company After the DHI nod, “said a senior KSRTC official.
He said Olectra would take care of this bus operation and maintenance.
“The company will also use drivers and arrange charging stations at this location.
But we will deploy conductors.
DHI provides a subsidy for Rs 55 lakh per bus.
But there is no enough manufacturer in the inter-city segment,” said an official.
The 12 meter-long AC bus can accommodate 43 passengers and run up to 250-300 km with a charging once.
The e-bus will be a relief for the KSRTC, which struggles for a soaring diesel price.
The corporation gets a diesel at Rs 88 per liter now.
“The operational cost of the Volvo diesel bus is Rs 56 per km.
With diesel prices increasing every day, it will be profitable to operate the electric bus in the long term,” officially added.
No progress in BMTC’s Fame-II TenderbMTC has not completed a tender to induce 300 non-AC electric buses approved under the Fame II Fame scheme.
Utilities have lost Rs 80 Crore Subsidies for 80 e-bus under Fame-i.
The source said the Fame-II time limit was march-end.
However, BMTC has searched for extensions.
It has floated five tenders under Fame-II because of the previous ones of evoking a bad response.
Five Firma – Ashok Leyland, Veera Vahana, Tata Motors, Olectra Greentech Ltd and JBM – have participated in the process.
“They must show evidence of concepts or trials before opening financial offers.
But the process is delayed because of Covid-19,” said an BMTC official.
Separately, BMTC will induce 90 e-AC buses under the Bengaluru Smart City project.
“The first e-bus under a smart city fund will be appointed September and 89 left in December,” an official said.