BMTC currently operates around 90 nine-metre electric buses. Of the new fleet of 200 vehicles, 100 will be seven metres long
Bengaluru: With Namma Metro ’s operational network set to cross the 100 km mark with the expected opening of the elevated stretch from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere, the challenge of getting commuters to and from stations remains. BMTC is likely to procure 100 7-metre-long buses and another 100 measuring 9 metres While the state govt has given the green light for 200 mini-buses. BMTC managing director Raghunandan Murthy said the proposed 7-metre buses would have a seating capacity of 20-22 passengers. Officials said BMTC currently operates around 90 nine-metre electric buses, along with about 250 nine-metre Tata buses and 160 buses manufactured by Ashok Leyland. Officials said that while several manufacturers now produce 7-metre buses, most are used for school transport or by private companies for employee commutes. BMTC had inspected 7-metre buses manufactured by different companies before drawing up specifications for urban services.
Many of its older nine-metre diesel buses, introduced from 2012 onwards, have crossed their prescribed operational limit of nine lakh kilometres and are due to be phased out. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
It may take around three months to induct the buses after the tendering process is completed,” he said. However, officials said it might not be practical on all feeder routes, particularly where bus stops are located close to one another. Most buses, however, will have conductors to collect fares from passengers,” the managing director said. Officials said DULT would study feeder-bus requirements across the network and recommend routes based on demand, taking into account both operational Metro corridors and upcoming stretches, including Pink Line. “Seven-metre buses will be deployed on narrow roads, while 9-metre or 12-metre buses will operate on roads that can accommodate larger vehicles,” an official said.
BMTC is now planning to strengthen the last-mile connectivity by introducing mini-buses that can navigate narrow roads and serve residential neighbourhoods. The govt will fund their procurement. “These will be diesel buses. We will float a tender in the coming days after receiving the govt order. The corporation is also examining the feasibility of introducing an automatic fare collection system on select routes. “We will assess the feasibility based on the distance between the stops. On routes where the distance is longer, such a system may be viable. The mini-bus proposal was deliberated upon by multiple agencies, including Greater Bengaluru Authority, BMTC, BMRCL, city police and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT). The assessment covered seating capacity, headroom for standing passengers, floor height and other operational requirements. Download the TOI App.
BMTC had earlier operated nine-metre Swaraj Mazda buses, but these were eventually phased out.