A fleet of new electric buses has started operating in Vadodara as part of the ‘PM e-Bus Sewa’ scheme. The city plans to expand its zero-emission public transport network to 250 buses in the near future. The first batch of 30 air-conditioned electric buses was inaugurated in Vadodara, marking the beginning of a phased rollout that will eventually see 250 electric buses in operation.
The buses were flagged off by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Cabinet Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at GSFC Gate No. 1. This initiative is in line with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s vision of promoting cleaner public transport under the ‘Clean City-Green City’ initiative. The Central Government has increased the sanctioned fleet for Vadodara from 100 to 250 AC electric buses to meet the city’s growing transport needs.
The buses utilize zero-emission technology, aiming to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and provide a cleaner mode of public transport. Equipped with CCTV cameras, a Passenger Counting System, and a Driver Monitoring System, these fully air-conditioned buses focus on enhancing passenger safety and operational efficiency. Fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and improved accessibility features have also been incorporated into the new fleet.
Wheelchair accessibility, priority seating for persons with disabilities and senior citizens, and special “pink seats” for women passengers are some of the passenger-centric features. The buses also offer multiple payment options including cash, UPI, ticketing cards, and a mobile application. Additionally, GPS-based live tracking and a Passenger Information System have been integrated for route announcements and travel updates.
Dedicated charging stations have been set up at various locations to support the operations of these electric buses. The expansion of the electric bus fleet in Vadodara aims to enhance the city’s public transport system while curbing emissions from urban transport. The presence of various dignitaries at the flag-off ceremony highlighted the significance of this initiative in promoting sustainable transportation.
