Transport Minister Reviews Production Of Low-Floor Electric Buses At Switch Mobility
Public bus transportation serves as a crucial lifeline for Tamil Nadu, connecting every corner of the state and driving economic growth through accessible and affordable transit.
Chennai:Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban inspected the manufacturing facility of Switch Mobility in Ennore on Thursday to review the production progress of the second phase of low-floor electric buses. The initiative aligns with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s directives to modernise public transportation in the state and expand eco-friendly transit options for the public.
Public bus transportation serves as a crucial lifeline for Tamil Nadu, connecting every corner of the state and driving economic growth through accessible and affordable transit. Currently, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) operates a fleet of 3,858 buses across various routes, serving millions of passengers—including women, students, transgender individuals, persons with disabilities, senior citizens above 60, freedom fighters, and Kalaimamani awardees, all of whom benefit from zero-fare travel schemes.
Under the Chennai City Partnership - Sustainable Urban Services Program (CCP-SUSP), funded jointly by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the state government previously deployed 625 low-floor electric buses in the first phase to reduce urban pollution. To build on this success, the government has planned the rollout of 750 additional low-floor air-conditioned electric buses in Phase II.
During his visit to the Ennore plant, Mr Parthiban reviewed the bus design across various assembly divisions and assessed the overall progress of manufacturing operations. Emphasizing the importance of timely delivery, he instructed officials at Switch Mobility to expedite the production process so the new fleet can be handed over within the stipulated deadline.
The inspection was attended by senior government and corporate leaders, including Transport Department Secretary L. Nirmal Raj, MTC managing director T. Mohan, joint managing director Rama Sundarapandian; OHM chief operating officer E. Nagarajan; and Switch Mobility executives including COO H. Shanmugavel and chief commercial officer R.K. Venkataraman, alongside other key departmental officials.
