MTC prepares roadmap to install infrastructure for operating more e-buses

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has prepared a roadmap to install infrastructure to operate more electric buses (e-buses) in the city. This follows the successful launch of low-floor and pollution-free e-buses from the Vyasarpadi and Perumbakkam bus depots.

The MTC is preparing the Poonamallee bus depot for the installation of charging infrastructure in order to operate 120 e-buses to various parts of the city. MTC Managing Director T. Prabhushankar had recently inspected the Poonamallee bus depot, where the work is under way.

A senior official of the MTC said 120 e-buses had already started operations at the Vyasarpadi depot, followed by 135 at the newly opened Perumbakkam depot, of which 55 are air-conditioned (AC) e-buses and 80 non-AC ones. 

The AC e-buses are operated on six routes — Chennai Airport-Siruseri (MAA2), Kilambakkam-Thiruvanmyur (95X), Kilambakkam-Sholinganallur (555S), T. Nagar-Thiruporur (19), Broadway-Kilambakkam (102), and Koyambedu-Kelambakkam/Siruseri (570 and 570S).

Once the operation of e-buses starts at the Poonamallee bus depot, work at the Central bus depot on Pallavan Salai will be taken up. The highest number of e-buses (145) will be operated from here. From the Tondiarpet bus depot, 100 e-buses will be operated, MTC officials said. The 12-metre-long AC and non-AC buses have been receiving a good response from the public, with the operation and maintenance being done under the Gross Cost Contract given to OHM Global Mobility, which is a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, an official said.

Charging infrastructure

While the charging infrastructure at the Vyasarpadi depot was installed at a cost of ₹47.50 crore, the facility and other amenities at the Perumbakkam bus depot were commissioned at a cost of ₹50 crore.

R. Mohanasundaram, a regular MTC commuter from Thoraipakkam, said the new AC e-buses offered a comfortable ride compared to other buses in the MTC’s fleet, which have cramped seats and poor stability on the road.

Even as the MTC is rolling out e-buses in various parts of the city, it also plans to introduce double-decker e-buses. More than a decade ago, conventional double-decker buses used to be operated in the city.

An MTC official said a proposal for the purchase of 20 double decker e-buses had been sent to the State government.Once the government gives its approval, tenders for procuring the buses would be floated, he added.