Chennai launches free electric buses for women

Chennai has introduced new electric buses under the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). These buses are designed for the Chennai-Trichy highway and offer free rides for women. The project is funded by a German bank and is part of a scheme called 'Vidiyal Perunthu Payana Thittam'. Each electric bus includes 35 seats and is accessible for passengers with wheelchairs. Charging the buses takes between 60 to 120 minutes. There will also be quick charging options at the end of routes, which will take 10 to 30 minutes. Several depots, such as Pallavan Illam and Adyar, are being updated with the necessary charging facilities. Santhapriyan Kamaraj, from a public transport advocacy group, welcomed the launch of the e-buses. He noted that their low-floor design makes them easier for disabled passengers, senior citizens, and women to use. However, he mentioned that many passengers are asking for air-conditioned versions of the buses, especially with the hot weather approaching. These new electric buses are part of a total fleet of 950 that will be introduced in Chennai. The first batch includes both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses. These vehicles are manufactured by Ashok Leyland and will be processed further at their plant in Oragadam. A private company may operate these buses under a new contract model, which means they will take care of all driving and maintenance services.