The contractor who has been roped in to run the buses has now shortlisted the vehicle models required to run the services and is presently in the process of checking their operational viability on Indian roads from certified agencies. Around ten buses will be introduced in the first phase, informed civic officials.

Thane: If all goes as planned, city motorists could get to travel in Thane Municipal Transport's (TMT) swanky electric-powered air-conditioned buses by March.

The contractor who has been roped in to run the buses has now shortlisted the vehicle models required to run the services and is presently in the process of checking their operational viability on Indian roads from certified agencies. Around ten buses will be introduced in the first phase, informed civic officials.

Meanwhile, the TMC has also allocated space at the Anand nagar octroi naka for setting up charging stations cum depots for these buses. Officials informed that work on installing power supply lines and other related infrastructure at the premises will begin shortly. The capacity of the charging station is one megawatt and each of the buses will run for 180 kms on a single charge.

"The contractor has identified few models of the fully electric powered buses and is presently ascertaining its viability to operate in our local areas. The buses could be made operational in the city latest by March," informed an officer. The service will start with 10 buses and later expand to 100 vehicles for a period of five years.

Officials said the services will encourage those travelling by private cars to use public transport. The buses are likely to have all passenger amenities like WiFi, LCD screens beaming entertainment content, etc that can lure more passengers.

"Add-on services like providing water bottles or serving juices, colddrinks and snacks onboard could be developed by the service provider depending on its viability," said an official.

Civic officers hint that long distance travellers to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai including those travelling within the lake city could use these services. Fares for the buses would be decided by the corporation and approved by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority.

The proposal for starting the bus services was presented last year by the civic commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal. Few members of the standing committee had raised objections over the manner in which the deal was tailored and had alleged losses to the administration in the coming years.

The administration will not spend a single rupee on the system as the contractor will bear the capital and operational expenses.

The buses will flaunt the usual colour (red and yellow) scheme of TMT along with the undertaking logo and emblem of the contractor displayed on its body. In addition, the corporation will get royalty from the contractor for advertising on the bus facade.

"If this project clicks, then it will surely be a great move. Thane will be one of the first few cities to flaunt electric buses. This will not only help in bringing down the increasing pollution, but will also upgrade the standard of commuting in the city. I am looking forward to these buses, hoping that they will be better maintained and won't be as battered as the current Thane Municipal Transport buses," said Manjusha Prajapati, a college student who travels to Thane station from Ghodbunder Road daily.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com