Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is reportedly gearing up to induct 1,500 electric buses in its fleet.
Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode zones will get 500 electric buses each.
According to ET, KSRTC has invited tenders for 12 metre non-AC electric buses on wet lease and dry lease basis for ten years.
Winning bidders for wet lease have to provide buses along with driver and KSRTC will deploy its conductor, while in dry lease, KSRTC will deploy the driver and conductor.
The electric buses will have 40 seats and will cover distance cover distance of 250 km on single charge. The power consumption is 1.5kwh per km.
Bidders will also have to provide charging device (one charging unit for every two buses). Among the other facilities, LED display boards in the front, rear end and left side of the bus, luggage space, mobile charging points, WiFi and GPS as demanded by KSRTC.
The buses will be wheelchair accessible with wheelchair locking facility. The buses are proposed to be operated as moffusil or city services in Thiruvananthapuram zone.
An official from KSRTC speaking to the publication said “These electric buses will replace the buses powered by diesel engine operating in the city. As these are non-AC buses, it is likely that ordinary bus fare will be charged from passengers.”
KSRTC is already operating ten AC electric buses as intercity services.
According to the report state transport department has also decided to reissue the tender for contract carriages on wet lease. It was the demand for more interstate services from KSRTC that led the transport corporation to hire contract carriages.