9/15/22, 9:14 PM Double-decker buses will return to Bengaluru roads in new e-avatar - Times of India

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TNN | Sep 15, 2022, 05.13 AM IST

BENGALURU: Rewind the clock. Double-decker buses are going to return

on Bengaluru roads. The generation that loved hopping on to them years
ago and the one that missed out, both have reason to cheer.

Double-decker buses were a common sight in several parts of the city in

1970s-80s until they were phased out by 1997. Soon, they're going to
make a comeback in a new electric avatar.

Times view

Bengauru’s bus riders have something exciting to look forward to. If Gen Z
will hop into double-decker buses in quest of selfies, for the old-timers it
will be a nostalgic return to their sepia past. After Mumbai’s experiment
with double-decker buses, there was a growing demand for similar
vehicles in the country’s startup capital and that dream is inching towards reality. Running these buses on ORR, the city’s tech
corridor, could draw more car owners to public transport and help cut down congestion. But there should be a thorough
feasibility study on the potential routes. Ifplanned and deployed optimally, these e-buses can significantly add to the city’s
green miles

After Mumbai's BEST, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is planning to induct 10 double-decker AC e-buses.

Congratulations!

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Rs 10 crore sanctioned for five e-buses

The induction of environment-friendly electric AC double-decker buses is part of the Rs 140 crore sanctioned for BBMP by the
Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). BBMP officials said

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9/15/22, 9:14 PM Double-decker buses will return to Bengaluru roads in new e-avatar - Times of India

the Centre has released Rs 140 crore under the 15th finance commission grants for air quality improvement for 2021-2022.

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9/15/22, 9:14 PM Double-decker buses will return to Bengaluru roads in new e-avatar - Times of India

"The amount was allocated for implementation of works by departments like transport, KSPCB, traffic police as per the micro-
level action plan," said a BBMP official. The Centre also allocated Rs 20 crore for the electrification of 15 bus depots for e-buses
inducted under the FAME scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles).

Of the Rs 140 crore, Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for five double-decker e-buses. BMTC officials said they are planning to
purchase these five e-buses. Additionally,, they are in talks with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) seeking funds
for another five such buses.

' Identifying routes'

BMTC director (IT) AV Surya Sen said: "We are planning to purchase a total of 10 AC electric double-decker buses. Of the 10,
amount has been sanctioned for five. We are also in the process of identifying the routes. They are likely to be operated on
Outer Ring Road and other peripheral roads/outskirts since aerial clearance is required," he said.

Sources said the first electric double-decker bus is likely to be deployed on 500D (Central Silk Board-Hebbal) route. Officials
said narrow roads and those with flyovers, overhead power lines, telecom cables and tree branches could pose major
obstacles. Poor condition of roads, gradient and curvature are other concerns.

In the 1980s, a double-decker bus ferrying schoolchildren tilted near Ramakrishna Mission in south Bengaluru. This dented the
image of such buses.

However, double-decker buses could carry more passengers while occupying the same road space. Staff salaries constitute
the lion's share of operational cost, but these buses need no extra crew.

KSTDC got 6 diesel ones

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9/15/22, 9:14 PM Double-decker buses will return to Bengaluru roads in new e-avatar - Times of India

Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation procured six diesel double-decker buses, whose body has been built by
Bengaluru-based KMS Coach Builders, with a seating capacity of 40 each. These buses are primarily running in Mysuru.

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