Bengaluru's BMTC to operate AC electric buses to airport from August 14

BMTC AC e-buses will replace the aging fleet of Volvo buses operating on Vajra (tech corridors) and Vayu Vajra (airport) routes.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will begin operating AC electric buses to Kempegowda International Airport from August 14.

The corporation, which currently runs over 150 diesel Vayu Vajra buses to the airport, will replace 85 of them with AC e-buses. “We’ll start with 5-10 e-buses and then replace 85 diesel Volvo buses in a phased manner,” said an official.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy will flag off the first batch of these buses from Terminal 2 of the airport.

Also, read: Bengaluru's BMTC begins trial runs of AC electric buses

Officials said diesel buses will be replaced with electric ones on most routes, except longer ones such as those to Electronics City and Jigani.

“We need improved charging range to cover long distances. We will deploy e-buses on shorter routes such as Majestic–KIA,” the official said.

In April 2024, Moneycontrol reported that Ohm Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, had won the contract to supply 320 AC electric buses to BMTC for airport routes and tech corridors. While the buses were inducted on Vajra tech corridor routes, induction on Vayu Vajra routes was delayed due to the slow pace of setting up charging infrastructure at the airport.

Also, read: Bengaluru: Ohm Global Mobility to supply 320 AC e-buses to BMTC for airport routes, tech corridors

Under the agreement, Ohm Global Mobility will operate AC e-buses on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, with BMTC paying ₹65.80 per km. Ohm will manage bus operations, maintenance, driver deployment, and charging infrastructure, while BMTC will provide conductors. The operator will ensure an assured distance of 225 km per day for 350 days a year over 12 years.

Currently, BMTC operates 1,436 electric buses: 90 by NTPC-JBM, 300 by Switch, 921 by Tata, and 125 (of 320) by Ohm. BMTC is also inducting 148 non-AC e-buses from Tata Motors under a 12-year GCC at ₹41.01 per km (including power costs). In addition, 195 AC buses (12m) from Ohm Mobility are set to join BMTC’s fleet, taking the total to 1,779 by year-end. Under the PM E-Drive initiative, an additional 400 AC and 4,100 non-AC e-buses will be added.

Also, read: Bengaluru's BMTC to launch 'express bus service’ on long routes