Bangalore: Country's first electric bus flagged off


Bangalore: Country's first electric bus flagged off

Bangalore, Feb 28 (DHNS): The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Thursday launched the much-awaited India’s first electric bus — BYD K9 in the City for a trial period of three months.

Initially, the bus will ply between Majestic and Kadugodi (Route No 335E.) Later on, it will ply between Majestic and either the Kempegowda Airport or the ITPL. The fare of the bus will be the same as that of the Volvo buses run by BMTC on different routes with Rs 10 as the minimum fare.

On an average, the bus will operate six trips everyday between 7 am and 7 pm and will require six hours of charging at the depot Number 7, Kempegowda bus station, where the charging point has been set up. It will be able to run 250 km after being fully charged, said BMTC Managing Director Anjum Parvez.

Speaking at the launch, Prasanna Deshmukh, Managing Director, Utopia Automation Control, said 5,000 similar buses are currently run in several countries in Europe, including the Netherlands, the US, etc.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who flagged off the bus, said the initial cost of the bus, Rs 2.7 crore, is higher than the Volvo bus which comes at Rs 90 lakh approximately.

However, compared to Volvo, which works out to an average of Rs 18 per kilometre, this one works out at Rs 7 per km. “The company will work on the R&D of the bus and will make efforts to bring down the price from its current level. With the pollution levels rising, CNG buses and electric buses are the future of public transport,” he said.

The bus ride on the electric bus between Central Office of BMTC, Shanthinagar to Kempegowda Bus Station was a smooth ride similar to that of a Volvo bus. The bus did not make any sound while running. Needless to say, on its way to the Kempegowda bus station, the bus attracted quite a number of eyeballs with people clicking pictures, some motorists even stopping by to catch a glimpse of the bus. The bus even has a provision for carrying a wheelchair inside and is disabled-friendly.


Leave management kiosk

Earlier, the transport minister inaugurated a leave management kiosk having a touch screen facility for the KSRTC and BMTC employees which enables the employees to plan their leaves and get them sanctioned.

It also has an employee and attendance data management facility. The employees can get system-generated printout and SMS as proof of leave application and approval. “There are 1.2 lakh employees of KSRTC and BMTC. Similar leave management kiosks have been put up in Gulbarga. Soon, such kiosks will be put up for the convenience of the employees in every depot in Bangalore.”

  

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Comment on this article

  • A. Nagaraju, kadapa

    Tue, Aug 05 2014

    Good decision taken by the Karnataka government. I appreciating this project to implementing in all states of the country

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Proud, Nishan

    Sat, Mar 01 2014

    PROUD TO BE KARNATAKAN LAD...

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • PlugInIndia, Pune

    Sat, Mar 01 2014

    This is a great initiative!
    Hope BMTC procures these buses and adds them to its fleet!

    We at PlugInIndia have have blogged on the technical aspects of the BYD electric bus, including details of the battery pack.
    And also suggested alternative options.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shetty, Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    It is high time the common man was told that BYD is the largest Chinese Manufacturer of electric vehicles.
    The cost of the bus is shocking, Viz, Rs. 2.2 crores when a Volvo can be bought for less than 70 lakhs and indigenous Tata bus costs just 45 lacks!
    Can someone find out the amount of kick-backs paid?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, Mangalore

    Sat, Mar 01 2014

    In the U.S.A. it cost around $550,000/- (which is INR 3.41 Crore)

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Easwar, Chennai

    Sun, Mar 09 2014

    This is called TIM -Typical Indian Mentality- Instead of appreciating the Karnataka State GOVT Initiative asking TATA/Leyland to compare ?
    If this is the req the so called Indian Giants in Buses should come forward to develop the EV bus and offer them to GOVT or Private/

    Be a example to others or lead don't comment- a request

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • JX, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Is the battery of the bus charged by electricity? It is not considered zero emission considering the fact that the generation of electricity is itself releasing emission. Only renewable energy such as solar energy is environmental friendly.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • P.S. Rao, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    One more feather in the cap of I.T. Capital of India! Peena-Sampige road Metro opening for public on 28th of Feb.14. At this rate, Bangalore is going to become a No.1 city in India very soon. Jai Karnataka Mathe.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • William, Bantwal

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Good achievement in Karnataka. Best wishes to all. Let them drive the bus in mind with safety to all.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Kulshekar mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Congress electric bus, BJP patte illada railu

    DisAgree [9] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeetendra hegde, mumbai

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Previous governments projects are unveiled by this government..

    DisAgree [33] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Bejai

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    See now RAJE NIRVAHANA kendra, online leave approval!
    Previously to get leave approve one had to suicide...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Kulshakar mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Kudonji rail

    DisAgree [8] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil, Mumbai / Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 02 2014

    Baseless allegations!! , Previous govt. genuinely only had one project in Karnataka it is called "The Corruption Project" they uted it quite successfully.

    This bus , I am sorry to say they didn't have it on the agenda

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Electric bus is less polluted to the atmosphere compared to other vehicles,say a environmental friendly.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen Kumaresh, Bengaluru

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    It may reduce Pollution in Bangalore, but it will not reduce Traffic jams in Bangalore City.
    Traffic Jams of Bangalore will continue for another decade at least because govt has no scientific plans to build new roads and flyovers properly. Metro Rail has not been successful in reducing Road-traffic even by 5%.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Mallar, Kasaragod/ Dubai

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Country's first? I had seen electric buses operating from Shivaji stadium to Connought place in Delhi recently - in 1988!!!

    DisAgree [33] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pradeep, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Karnataka is back on track with development,thanks to Congress govt.
    I hope this congress govt. re-creates the magic of previous S.M.Krishna govt. which was the main reason for Karnataka's IT status and also for starting the splendid Volvo bus service.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [54] Reply Report Abuse

  • K. S. Mayya, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    I guess it is election season and the virus has bitten badly some of who have commented and complimented Siddu for it. Siddu's time in office is only sufficient to understand the various department let alone plan, conceive and implement a scheme like this. If he really responsible, do these guys really think that the efficiency of Govt departments has improved by 500% to pull off something like this in such a short time?
    These babus are just doing photoop and ribbon cutting of the plan that was conceived by the previous government.

    The above news of electric bus is welcome and Govt must seriously consider subsidy in the long term gain of reducing carbon emission and pollution not only to buses but also cars. If our Govt is that worried about favoring the have's over have-not's then they could only subsidize the low end hybrid cars and fully electric cars of Mahindra.
    Second most pertinent question is about creating relevant infra for charging.
    The technology for fast charing is being developed and Govt must put a panel to oversee the development of this technology and quickly adapt the same.
    Govt must also increase electricity generation to enable the large scale proliferation of this technology.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • ashraf, katipalla

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    A good thoughts from congi government, now feku followers will have sleepless nights.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • FLAVIAN DSOUZA, CHIK/BANAGLORE

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    This is real progress with a vision. Siddaramiah and his team are doing a wonderful job and they are listening to the citizens. So please feel free to give your suggestions to any ministry.

    DisAgree [21] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasanna, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Well done Sir. Surely Congis are doing good work.

    DisAgree [27] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • juliet mascarenhas, bejai mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Karnataka riceing(tulu).Any challengers. NO. Only fake challengers, ella bayalle,action tusss.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Kaalen Mai- Thyen Soundu??
    'Tussu Tussu'...Thashen Yetaa Gee?
    Kayeentlyaan??
    Tumhee 'Sound Expert'-gee?
    Oho! Tussu Tussu Moily Department-Ne?

    DisAgree [10] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya, Belman / Washington,DC

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Wow, Political rivals, but still personal friends??

    Friendly contest with Jaadu and Gas Cylinder in Mangalore???

    ...JH...

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mustafa, mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Nice..
    we are improving..the thought of controlling global warming is good..
    Modern bus with forward thinking, but will the people keep it clean&proper?
    Can we expect automated ticket less (prepaid card) buses soon?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Go green,we need these buses,china has same type car taxi which is called a zero emission taxi..they are expensive because the batteries are expensive.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af, mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    It happens only in Karnataka.
    jai Karnataka, no.1 in developments.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • G M Hegde, Udupi

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Each minister in successive governments sign lucrative deals like these without proper research and testing. Let them purchase 1 bus and test it for an year and then decide after gaining a preview into maintenance costs otherwise our healthy corporations will become bankrupt.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sir Lancelot, Manglore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Beautiful
    B for Banglore n Beauty. File pic.no 6 more beauty.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ahmed, Mangalore

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    If this happened in Gujarat, It is a big development. But, in Karnataka it is another Bus.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [56] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    This is called GENUINE Development...

    DisAgree [28] Agree [66] Reply Report Abuse

  • JNB, Bejai

    Fri, Feb 28 2014

    Why only congress admin got more innovative ideas?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Bangalore: Country's first electric bus flagged off



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