Thiruvananthapuram is leading the charge in electric mobility, operating approximately 120 e-buses across 48 routes, showcasing a successful model under the Smart City initiative.
The Kochi Metro is set to enhance its public transport options with the introduction of 15 air-conditioned electric feeder buses starting September. These buses will provide crucial connectivity from metro stations to commercial districts and suburban areas.
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) had earlier placed an order for 32 e-buses following requests from KSRTC for additional vehicles to support feeder services from metro stations. Originally, delivery of the buses was anticipated in June.
The operational routes for these new e-buses are expected to be announced soon. The 9-metre-long buses are designed to effectively navigate through congested traffic and tight intersections, making them ideal for urban settings compared to traditional long-chassis buses. Discussions are ongoing with local utilities to secure a reliable power supply for charging stations planned at selected metro stops.
Currently, electric bus deployment in the Ernakulam district remains minimal, with only a couple of leased feeder buses running from the Aluva metro station to the international airport approximately 10 km away. In contrast, Thiruvananthapuram has successfully launched around 120 e-buses operating on 48 designated routes as part of its e-mobility initiative.
Plans for feeder bus services were first proposed in 2017, coinciding with the launch of the metro’s 12-km Aluva-Palarivattom line. These buses are crucial for improving first- and last-mile connectivity and are expected to increase usage on the 28-km Aluva-Thripunithura corridor.
Boosting daily ridership from the current average of 100,000 commuters is vital for closing the revenue-expenditure gap, as the metro system faces losses of approximately ₹1 crore daily due to lower-than-expected patronage and insufficient non-ticket revenue streams.
