Bengaluru accelerates E-Bus adoption to meet growing commuter needs

In a major leap towards sustainable urban mobility, Bengaluru's BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) is set to expand its electric bus fleet beyond 10,000 vehicles. This growth is driven by the recent allocation of 4,500 e-buses under the Central Government’s PM e-Bus Sewa initiative. The city, which had stagnated at around 6,800 buses for nearly a decade, will now see a significant enhancement in public transportation options, catering to the fast-growing urban population.

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The new buses aim to address the increasing demand for efficient and eco-friendly transit systems. Experts have repeatedly stressed that Bengaluru needs a minimum of 10,000 buses to function efficiently. The latest announcement came after a high-level meeting between Union ministers and key industry representatives, during which plans to boost clean mobility were discussed.

The PM e-Bus Sewa, under which the new buses are being allocated, targets both large and mid-sized cities across India, promoting environmentally conscious public transportation solutions. Bengaluru received the largest allocation, reflecting the city's pressing mobility challenges.

BMTC officials stated that the expansion would be accompanied by smarter route planning, upgraded infrastructure, and a strong emphasis on service reliability. The city plans to introduce the new fleet in stages between April 2024 and March 2026.