The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), which has been reeling under a financial crisis for a while, is now being burdened by electric buses, which are draining its coffers instead of generating revenue.
BMTC had leased 90 electric buses by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd after receiving funds from Bengaluru Smart City Limited. Currently, BMTC is paying Rs 51.67 per km. But these buses are not generating enough revenue to balance that number. While approximately 90 buses were supposed to be rolled out, due to a lack of charging facilities, the operations did not start at full capacity. BMTC decided to operate 30 buses from KR Puram, Yeswanthpur, and Kengeri depots.
As per the agreement, electric buses must cover 180 km daily. BMTC has to pay Rs 9,300 per bus for 180 km per day. The buses currently operating are covering 173 km on average per day. The collection from electric buses per km is only Rs 30, which comes to a loss of Rs 21 per km. By operating around 26 buses, BMTC has lost more than one lakh. Now, due to the losses, BMTC has submitted a proposal for an increase of 47 per cent in ticket prices. This decision may not go down well with citizens.
Earlier, there were 52 lakh daily commuters availing of BMTC’s services. Now due to online taxi services and Metro, the number has dropped to 32 lakh. Covid-19 only worsened the situation.
Such is the financial drain that BMTC is facing difficulty in paying salaries, buying spare parts and fuel providers. It is pledging the buildings to overcome financial difficulties.
BMTC Vice President Dr MR Venkatesh said, “NTPC supplied 90 electric buses; among them, only 26 buses are operating. In the next three months, 390 electric buses will be operational.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Prakash VL
Quelle/Source: Bangalor Mirror, 15.04.2022
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