Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has taken a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly transportation system by announcing its plan to introduce 1300 electric buses in Hyderabad.
In a statement released on Monday, TSRTC highlighted its commitment to providing an enhanced and comfortable travel experience for the public, all while prioritizing environmental conservation and reducing pollution. Immediate action is set to take place with the deployment of 25 electric air-conditioned buses.
TSRTC Managing Director, VC Sajjanar, personally inspected a prototype of the new electric air-conditioned bus at the Bus Bhawan premises in Hyderabad. During the inspection, officials were questioned about passenger amenities within the bus, leading to constructive suggestions for improvement. A directive was issued to expedite the availability of the buses.
Sajjanar affirmed, “Hyderabad will soon witness the integration of eco-friendly electric buses into its public transport system. As a part of this initiative, Olectra has collaborated with Greentech Limited (OGL) to secure an order for 550 electric buses. Five hundred of these buses will serve Hyderabad, while the remaining 50 will operate on the Vijayawada route. Notably, the Vijayawada route already boasts 10 electric buses.
The first phase of Hyderabad’s deployment will encompass 50 electric air-conditioned buses, 20 of which will cover the Shamshabad Airport route, and the remaining 30 will ply along the IT corridor. TSRTC’s management is actively working towards launching 25 buses in the near future, with a grand vision of transitioning the entirety of Hyderabad’s fleet to electric buses.
Furthermore, our plans for the ongoing financial year encompass the addition of 500 electric buses, comprising 50 air-conditioned units and the remainder being regular and metro express buses. Olectra, through a Gross Cost Contract (GCC), will progressively deliver these buses to TSRTC. This is only the beginning, as an additional procurement of 800 electric buses for the city is already underway,” he added.
The Chief Operating Officer (CVO), Dr V Ravinder, along with Executive Directors Munishekhar, Venkateshwarlu, Krishnakanth, CME Raghunatha Rao, CEIT Rajasekhar, Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Venugopal Rao from Olectra Greentech Limited, Manager Anand Basoli, and Assistant Manager Yatish Kumar were among the participants present during the inspection.
The newly introduced 12-meter-long electric air-conditioned buses boast a range of cutting-edge features.
Designed to provide an enhanced and high-quality travel experience, these 35-seater buses come equipped with mobile charging points and seat belts. Each bus has been outfitted with three CCTV cameras that retain footage for a month, and a reverse parking assistance camera facilitates safe maneuvering. The buses are equipped with four LED boards that display destination information.
A Fire Detection Suppression System (FDSS) has been meticulously installed to ensure the early detection and prevention of fire accidents.
These buses can cover distances of up to 225 kilometers on a single charge, requiring 2 to 3 hours for a complete recharge. Ensuring passenger safety, a panic button is conveniently accessible at every seat, complemented by a comprehensive vehicle tracking system.
