BMTC conducts trial run of electric bus in Bengaluru

News Network

October 22, 2020

Bengaluru, Oct 22: The maiden trial run of the first electric bus of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation began in the city on Thursday.

Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who holds the transport portfolio, was part of the maiden ride from Shantinagar bus stand to Vidhana Soudha.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa who inspected the bus at the Vidhana Soudha, expressed his pleasure over the initiative of the BMTC.

Later, speaking to reporters, Savadi said the 12-metre long, 35-seater electric bus is fully air-conditioned, which has an automatic gearbox.

The bus has the capacity to run about 200 to 250 km in a single charge with an air-conditioner in the traffic conditions.

According to a statement issued by the BMTC, the bus that can operate with 100 to 125 passenger consistent load has wheelchair provision with kneeling feature for specially-abled and senior citizens.

The vehicle has various other features like USB charger provision for mobile charging, emergency alarm, stop buttons and emergency exits for safety purposes, the officials said adding that the electronically controlled air suspension with disc brakes at front and rear adds to its safety.

The Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) of the Government of India has sanctioned 300 electric buses to the BMTC for operational cost model under the Phase-2 of FAME India scheme, the statement read.

Under the scheme, the DHI will provide a maximum demand incentive of Rs 55 lakh for each bus.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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