BMTC Orders 320 AC Electric Buses from OHM Global Mobility

Key Highlights:
•    BMTC Orders 320 AC electric buses from OHM Global Mobility.
•    Old Volvo buses to be replaced with AC electric ones on airport routes.
•    New fleet of 320 low-floor AC electric buses designed for disability access.

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is prepared to add new air-conditioned electric buses to its fleet. OHM Global Mobility, an Ashok Leyland company, will supply 320 ac buses to the BMTC.

In addition, BMTC intends to replace old Volvo buses running on the Vajra and Vayu Vajra airport routes with air-conditioned electric buses. According to officials, BMTC has awarded OHM Global Mobility the contract to run air-conditioned electric buses under a Gross Cost Contract (lease model).

BMTC's new fleet of 320 low-floor AC electric buses will be 13 meters long. They have been developed to be accessible to people with disabilities. They will be fitted with retractable ramps. According to officials, each bus will be obliged to go 250 km every day for 365 days, totaling 87,500 kilometres per year.

"OHM will operate air-conditioned electric buses under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) arrangement, with BMTC paying ₹65.80 per kilometer. The prototype bus is expected to arrive in Bengaluru in three months, and the company plans to deliver all vehicles by March 2025. Currently, the BMTC utilizes non-air-conditioned electric buses," an official explained.

BMTC has selected four depots for the deployment of these 320 electric AC buses: Depot 7 (Subhash Nagar), Depot 13 (Katriguppe), Depot 18 (Whitefield), and Depot 25 (HSR Layout).

BMTC currently operates 593 Volvo AC buses, with 474 daily schedules that cover the Vajra and Vayu Vajra routes. In terms of electric buses, BMTC operates 300 Ashok Leyland Switch Mobility e-buses, 213 Tata Motors e-buses, and 90 JBM-NTPC e-buses that are all non-air-conditioned.

The BMTC fleet consists of 6,147 buses: 5,643 diesel-powered and 503 electric. The non-air-conditioned electric bus fleet consists of 90 Midi 9-meter vehicles, 300 12-meter buses, and 113 low-floor 12-metre buses.

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CMV360 Says

BMTC is bringing in 320 new AC electric buses from OHM Global Mobility to swap out the old ones on airport routes. These buses are not just eco-friendly but also super accessible, with ramps for people with disabilities. They'll be cruising around four depots, covering a good 250 km each day. 

It's all about making Bengaluru's public transport greener and comfier for all of us. This move aims to make Bengaluru's public transport greener and more comfortable for everyone.