The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) has announced plans to induct 225 electric buses as part of its push towards a cleaner, pollution-free public transport system.
The first batch of 15 e-buses has already arrived. AMTS chairman Dharamshibhai Desai said the service aims to gradually shift from CNG to electric buses to create a smoke-free fleet. Tenders for 225 electric midi-buses were floated recently, and while a few e-buses are already running on city routes, their number is currently limited. With more buses set to be inducted in the coming months, CNG vehicles will be phased out in stages.
Desai said the entire procurement process was completed within six months.
For the first time in the country, AMTS has made cyber security and safety audits mandatory for its electric bus fleet to ensure secure digital systems. In view of battery fire incidents reported in other cities, all buses will be fitted with Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS) to improve passenger safety. The buses will also have a safety mechanism that prevents them from moving unless the doors are fully closed.
To ensure quality, AMTS will carry out third-party inspections, including prototype testing, batch inspections and pre-dispatch checks.
Desai also highlighted a unique safety feature: since electric buses operate almost silently, an alarm will automatically sound when the speed crosses 20 kmph to alert pedestrians and other road users. All 225 buses will be air-conditioned, offering better comfort to commuters, especially during summer.