Chennai: Equipped with surveillance cameras and several safety features, Tamil Nadu’s first air-conditioned green bus, which is noiseless, smokeless and vibration-free, was rolled out on Monday. The attractive electric bus, painted green, may tempt many vehicle owners to sacrifice their vehicles to hop a tranquil ride on it in the city.
The first of its kind initiative, launched by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who along with his cabinet colleagues availed a ride for some distance, will run on battery and not on fuel.
Two lithium-ion batteries (a type of rechargeable battery commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles) powers the bus. “There are no moving parts. No fuel in this bus. It has many advantages to passengers, as it will be quiet and free from vibrations. It incorporates modern technology includ ing fire detection and suppression system and safety belts for passengers. In short, it will be comfortable ride for the passengers,” an official said.
The vehicle is also fitted with GPS besides automatic doors and it can travel upto 120 km on a single charge. The bus can seat 32 persons and 25 standees. The bus will ply between Chennai Central and Thiruvanmiyur in the A1 route of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and will make four trips every day. The commuter would be charged Rs 25 a trip for covering end-to-end destinations of the route. The minimum fare is Rs 11.
Automobile giant Ashok Leyland has manufactured the bus. The project has been taken up under the auspices of central government’s FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles) India -2, a programme to encourage the purchase and usage of electric vehicles. Under this, the government of Tamil Nadu had agreed to purchase and operate 525 electric buses in major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem, Vellore and Thanjavur.
Mr Palaniswami, was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Transport Minister M. R. Vijayabhaskar and a host of Ministers and government officials, while travelling in the bus for a few km from the secretariat as part of the launch ceremony.
