AP to run 750 electric buses by end of 2025

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government will be operating 750 electric buses for public transportation by the end of 2025.

As part of PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, the centre has allotted 750 electric buses to Andhra Pradesh, which will operate from 11 depots of the AP State Road Transport Corporation.

As per the plan, 100 buses each are to be located in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Nellore districts and 50 buses each in the districts of Amaravati, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Anantapur, Kadapa, Kakinada and Tirupati.

As part of the scheme, the centre has entrusted the task of manufacturing the e-buses to private agencies, which will deliver the buses to AP in a phased manner. These buses will be operated and maintained by the private agencies fixed by the centre under the scheme. The role of APSRTC is to develop the requisite infrastructure, like power charging points for the e-buses at the depots.

As APSRTC is using the services of hired buses, e-buses will also be used in the same manner. Accordingly, RTC will have its own conductors in the e-buses, while their drivers will be appointed by the private agencies as per the norms of the centre.

RTC is yet to finalise the travel fare for e-buses from place to place.

A senior official of the APSRTC said, “As the centre had allotted 750 electric buses to AP under e-Bus Sewa scheme, we are eagerly waiting for their delivery, expected in a phased manner, so that we can press them into service. We are taking up the required measures at our depots for operating them.”