The Uttar Pradesh state government is gearing up for a greener transportation system by introducing a fleet of at least 500 electric buses for Maha kumbh 2025. These buses will be brought in either through direct purchase by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) or by entering into contracts with private firms. This move signifies a significant step towards sustainable and eco-friendly public transportation in the state.
In the next three months, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) plans to issue a tender to acquire 100 electric buses, each priced at approximately INR 1.5 crore. These eco-friendly buses will require recharging after covering a distance of 250 kilometres, highlighting a commitment towards cleaner and more efficient public transportation in the state.
The companies supplying the electric buses for Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) will also install chargers on designated land provided by UPSRTC, ensuring a seamless and integrated infrastructure for sustainable public transportation.
The firms supplying electric buses to UPSRTC will conduct training for UPSRTC drivers in the initial phase. Additionally, UPSRTC plans to hire 250 electric buses on contract soon, with the hired buses operated by drivers and conductors from the private agency contracted by the corporation.
The UPSRTC board has decided to use electric buses to connect cities that are special for their religious, historical, cultural, and tourist importance. This move aims to make travel between these significant places more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
As per the sources, the electric buses will also operate as inter-city buses. The state government has earmarked over INR 600 crore for bus acquisitions, covering the supplementary budget from the previous financial year and the budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year 2023-24.
Every electric bus will feature 51 seats and will come equipped with a Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) and panic buttons for passenger safety. These buses will be seamlessly connected to the integrated command control centre of the Corporation, ensuring efficient monitoring and management.
The fare for AC electric buses will be on par with other AC buses operated by UPSRTC, maintaining affordability for passengers. Similarly, the non-AC electric buses will have fares comparable to regular ordinary buses, ensuring a fair pricing structure for different service options.