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Chennai is set to make an iconic return to the double-decker bus tradition, but with a modern twist: electric technology. These buses, which first graced the city’s roads in the 1970s, disappeared in the 1980s and had a brief return in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Their reintroduction marks not just a revival of a cherished chapter in Chennai’s public transport history but also an essential step toward modernizing the city’s fleet with environmentally friendly alternatives. The electric buses aim to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, supporting Chennai’s environmental goals while offering commuters a sustainable transportation option. This shift aligns with global trends where electric public transportation is seen as a solution to urban pollution and climate change.
Embracing Electric: A New Era for Double-Decker Buses
The electric double-decker buses will be part of the Chennai City Partnership Programme, which is funded by the World Bank. This program is designed to support urban mobility projects with a focus on sustainability.
The project aims to modernize Chennai’s public transportation infrastructure, reducing reliance on diesel-powered buses and introducing zero-emission vehicles to replace the older fleet.
The electric buses will play a key role in transforming Chennai’s transportation landscape, making the city one of the front-runners in adopting green public transport solutions in India. This project will also help reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint, contributing to India’s larger climate goals.
However, their deployment will require careful planning due to the city’s infrastructure constraints, including low bridges and cables, which restrict the routes these buses can travel.
Strategic Route Planning and Operational Management
The operational model for this electric double-decker bus fleet will follow the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, which involves a private company taking responsibility for the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the buses.
This model ensures that the fleet is managed efficiently while also containing costs. The private operator will be paid a fixed cost per kilometer, which creates a performance-based incentive to maintain high standards.
The MTC will oversee route planning and fare collection, ensuring that the buses remain an affordable and reliable option for commuters. This structure allows for flexibility while ensuring that the electric buses are run efficiently, providing an eco-friendly alternative for everyday transportation
Test Runs and Future Prospects
In August of the previous year, Ashok Leyland’s EV arm, Switch Mobility, conducted a test run of an electric double-decker bus in Chennai. This test run followed an announcement by Transport Minister SS Sivasankar, who highlighted the potential for these buses to serve tourist routes.
The successful integration of these electric double-decker buses into Chennai’s public transportation system promises to merge the city’s rich transit history with cutting-edge, eco-friendly technology.
Beyond their role in daily commuting, these buses are also expected to become a tourist attraction. The state government envisions these electric double-decker buses operating on routes popular with tourists, providing an eco-friendly way to explore the city. In 2022, a test run of an electric double-decker bus was conducted by Switch Mobility, Ashok Leyland’s electric vehicle arm, which demonstrated the feasibility of these buses in the Chennai context.
The electric double-decker bus initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to urban mobility, combining technological innovation with a commitment to sustainability. As the city moves forward, this effort will not only preserve Chennai’s iconic transportation history but also lay the foundation for a cleaner, greener future in public transit. With proper planning, the electric double-deckers could soon become a symbol of Chennai’s commitment to modernizing its transport system while reducing its environmental impact.
The return of the double-decker buses, now reimagined as electric vehicles, signifies a forward-thinking approach to urban transportation, aiming to honor the past while embracing a greener future.
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