KSRTC, BMTC to run electric buses, 150 buses on hire likely
- The KSRTC and BMTC is spending 80 per cent of the revenue on diesel and staff salary and only 20 percent is available for running the corporation.
- Instead of diesel run buses the corporation is contemplating running electric buses said new Transport Minister H M Revanna.
- In 4 years 2921 buses of the calibre of Airavatha Club, Diamond, Rajahamsa have been added to the fleet, totaling 7333 buses.
- After 2013, KSRTC has received 209 national and international awards.
FollowThe KSRTC and BMTC is spending 80 per cent of the revenue on diesel and staff salary and only 20 percent is available for running the corporation. Hence, instead of diesel run buses the corporation is contemplating running electric buses said new Transport Minister H M Revanna, reported Kannada Prabha.
Speaking at a press meet at the KSRTC office at Shanthinagar on Thursday the Minister said talks are already held with various bus companies to procure 150 electric busses on hire.
The busses will be run on trial basis and if found feasible they will be purchased. A meeting of the Central Transport Department is scheduled at Gujarat on Sept 19. The State will also be participating in that and discuss the various aspects of running electric buses, he said.
The State Government has already published separate policy for electric vehicles. The Corporation has to imbibe the policy first. The discussion are in the preliminary stage and will be adopted in a phased manner.
The Basaveshwara Bus stand at Peenya has not received good response from public. Hence 3 steps will be taken for best use of the bus stand. The KSRTC buses of this region have to start from this bus stand. Private busses also must enter into the bus stand and connecting BMTC busses and Metro will also be provided, he said.
The KSRTC has received fourth prize as the Best Transport Service at national level. After 2013, KSRTC has received 209 national and international awards. The government has given concession on the Rs 116 crore motor vehicles tax for 2017-18. Also the government is bearing the interest for the purchase of 1000 buses. The State Government is also paying for the purchase of 1500 new buses out of the total 3000 intended. With such facilities The State stands first in the country for good transport system.
After the Article 371-J that gives special status to Hyderabad Karnataka region, additional 3000 appointments are made. With this the total number of appointments go up to 24,000. The buses have several facilities including Wi-Fi.
On Thursday 23 new Volvo buses were launched. By December another 117 new buses will be launched. In 4 years 2921 buses of the calibre of Airavatha Club, Diamond, Rajahamsa have been added to the fleet. Totally 7333 buses are being added. Shimoga and Chitradurga will be set up as a new division. City transport services are provided in 36 cities being number one in the country. For BMTC 3000 new buses will be purchased and by December 1300 buses will be launched, he said.
Meanwhile, two lemons that the Minister H M Revanna was holding attracted the attention of news persons. When asked he denied that it was for superstition but explained that it is a customary to give lemon when people meet. He strongly denied any superstition and said he does not believe in it and said lemon is a good press buster.
