Electric, CNG buses to operate in Thiruvananthapuram city from Jan 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The KSRTC will run 50 electric and CNG buses in Thiruvananthapuram from January 1. Following this, it will be implemented in Kochi and Kozhikode. The Transport Department has decided to run electric and green fuel buses in all major cities.

Electric and CNG buses will be used for the newly launched circular service in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. The bus will be 9 meters wide. The tender process is in its final stages. Diesel buses plying in cities will be phased out. CNG and electric buses will replace them.

The state government had announced that 3,000 KSRTC buses will be converted to CNG-powered ones. In the current financial year, Rs 100 crore has been sanctioned for the Rs 300 crore project.

Hydrogen-powered buses coming up

The process of purchasing ten hydrogen-powered buses in collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation and CIAL is in progress. Rs Ten crore was allotted in the budget for this.

Bus price (including body)

• Diesel: 33 lakhs
• CNG: 35 lakhs
• Electric: 93 lakhs

Mileage

• Diesel: 4-5 km
• CNG: 11 m Bus: 4.5- 5.5 km
• 9 m Bus: 6- 7 km
• Electric: 120 km on a single charge.