BANGALORE: In a drive to cut down the rising fuel expenses and to keep emission level under check, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will soon procure two diesel hybrid buses. The buses will operate on a pilot project basis. With this, BMTC will become the first public transport corporation in the country to have hybrid buses. According to officials, due to the high cost of the buses, priced at Rs 1 crore, BMTC will procure only two buses. These diesel hybrid buses, known for fuel efficiency and less smoke. Speaking about its specifications, BMTC Managing Director K R Srinivas told Express that, in regular buses diesel is directly used for fuel injection jet. However, in the hybrid buses, the diesel is converted into electrical energy which the engine ignites. The city transport corporation has received permission to operate two buses, which will be manufactured by Ashok Leyland Company, the only firm in state to manufacture hybrid buses. “We have told the requistes to the company. We plan to launch the buses by April-May next year.” The BMTC MD said these buses had been used at the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi recently. Bangalore will be the first city to commercially operate these diesel hybrid buses, which are air conditioned. “We are yet to finalise the route for the hybrid buses and it will be decided only after receiving the consignment,” said Srinivas.Srinivas noted that mileage in regular buses is 4kmpl and 2kmpl in Volvo buses. As a result of city’s slow moving traffic, it is very difficult to get good mileage from buses. Also, with the frequent hike in fuel prices, BMTC is now looking at alternative options. London has already introduced hydrogen buses and the cost of each bus when converted into Indian currency is around Rs 3 crore. However, in the present situation it is not possible for the BMTC to buy hydrogen buses. “I am optimistic that the cost of these buses will come down in the coming years, if any Indian firm manufactures such buses.”
Comments
0 comment