BENGALURU: The much talked about electric buses would begin services in the city soon, with BMTC deciding to acquire 150 such buses on a lease basis.
Transport Minister H.M. Revanna told reporters here on Tuesday that the tender process for availing services was complete and soon the buses would be inducted to BMTC.
Though the Centre was providing subsidy for electric buses, the government would not be purchasing them. The companies would ply and maintain the buses, while the BMTC would enter into rate contract with the operators, he said.
Meanwhile, the government had decided to induct more buses for inter-city services such as Bengaluru-Mysuru, Bengaluru-Tumakuru and Bengaluru-Kolar. Since the buses can travel only up to 200 kilometers per charge, long distance buses would not be opted for. Even those buses would be leased out to respective Transport Corporations, he said.
The main aim was to reduce the pollution and the government has already come out with plan to promote public transport days on every second Sundays in Bengaluru city. During such days, Namma Metro would increase the trips, while the BMTC would reduce its fares, he said.
Meanwhile, taking into account the losses made by Volvo buses, the government had reduced fares from 15% to 35%. The aim was to attract more passengers to travel in Volvo buses, Mr Revanna said.
Truck terminals
Stating that the ambitious Devaraj Truck Terminal was in shambles, Mr Revanna said that he had taken measures to clean them up. The terminal was being used as dump yard for old trucks, while 80 truckloads of garbage was dumped in the yard.
Apart from Devaraj Urs truck terminal, the government was planning to build one more terminal at a cost of Rs 21 crore near Nelamangala. At the moment, the infrastructure was ready and there was need for road connectivity to the Highway. Soon, the connectivity would be completed.
The government would also build two more truck terminals at Mysuru and Hospete, Mr Revanna added.
