550 e-buses in Pune: Opposition suggests demo run before final purchase
While tenders for the 550 new e-busesis likely to be floated in 10 days, opposition parties in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have demanded a trial run of these e-buses for 90 days .
Chetan Tupe, opposition leader in PMC, said, “Before the authorities buy the electric buses, they should be operated on a trial basis. Authorities should take some buses from e-bus manufacturing companies for 90 days and start a trial run of these buses.”
He further added, “This will give a comprehensive idea as to what exactly will be the expenses related to operating electric buses will be. Once this alternative appears to be feasible enough to be implemented across the city, then the authorities should buy all the buses.”
A Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) official, on terms of anonymity, said, “If all the important stakeholders in the city are of the opinion that we should first conduct a demo run of the e-buses, we might have to reconsider the proposal. However, it is a little early to comment on this as future meetings will define our future course of action.”
The Pune Smart City Company is likely to build the charging station required for the electric buses. The total estimated cost of the charging stations is Rs 70 crore. The cost of the project will be shared by PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.
Source : Hindustan Times
