BMTC’s electric bus rollout to Kempegowda International Airport delayed

Despite receiving a portion of the fleet, the BMTC is facing another bottleneck, the delay in onboarding trained drivers by the manufacturer. File Photo: Murali Kumar K./The Hindu

The much-awaited launch of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (BMTC) air-conditioned electric buses to Kempegowda International Airport has been delayed, primarily owing to incomplete charging infrastructure and delays in driver deployment.

Originally scheduled for rollout by the end of May, the electric buses are yet to begin operations. According to BMTC officials, the primary reason is the slow progress in establishing charging facilities at the airport. A dedicated charging station is currently under construction at the parking area, approximately 1 km away from Terminal 2.

“This facility, once ready, will be capable of charging up to three buses simultaneously through what is known as opportunity charging – a method that allows buses to be recharged during short intervals throughout the day, typically requiring up to 45 minutes per session,” a BMTC official explained.

Trial run going on

So far, the BMTC has taken delivery of 58 air-conditioned electric buses from OHM Global Mobility Private Limited, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland. These are part of a larger fleet of 320 buses that have been contracted to replace the older Volvo buses serving the Vajra and Vayu Vajra airport routes. At present, these 58 buses are operating on different city routes on a trial run.

The new electric buses are being procured under a gross cost contract (GCC) model, where the BMTC will pay ₹65.8 per km to the operator. “Each bus is expected to run 250 km daily, translating to 87,500 km annually. These 13-metre-long buses are designed with a low-floor layout and include retractable ramps to ensure better accessibility for passengers with disabilities,” the official said.

Despite receiving a portion of the fleet, the BMTC is facing another bottleneck, the delay in onboarding trained drivers by the manufacturer. “This has further pushed back the schedule for beginning services to the airport,” the official added.

However, the BMTC officials remain optimistic. “We expect the AC electric buses to begin operations to the airport soon. Once the rollout is complete, they will eventually replace the existing Volvo fleet,” the official said.

Published - June 08, 2025 07:43 pm IST