Electric Buses: Good news for electric bus commuters. A significant advancement has been made towards modernising, enhancing safety, and promoting environmental sustainability in Cyber City Gurugram’s public transport system. Fifty-five new electric buses have been delivered to the Sector 10 bus depot to expand the Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) fleet. Trial operations for 40 of these buses have commenced on various routes, while registration and other formalities for the remaining 15 are being swiftly finalised. Once administrative approval is granted, these buses will begin regular service on the city’s roads.
More than 25 routes designated
GMCBL officials have identified over 25 key routes for the deployment of these new electric buses. They will run on several busy routes across the city, including Gurugram to Delhi, Vallabhgarh, and Manesar to Dwarka. These routes may be adjusted in the future based on passenger demand and volume.
Each seat fitted with an SOS button
These new electric buses come equipped with numerous advanced features and safety devices. For passenger security, an SOS emergency button has been installed at every seat. Pressing this button in an emergency will immediately notify the GMCBL control room. Special headcount cameras have been positioned at entry and exit points to maintain transparency in the ticketing system and ensure accurate passenger numbers. To accommodate disabled passengers, the buses are fitted with wheelchair lifts, enabling easy boarding and alighting.
For safety, a technical feature ensures the bus cannot move forward if any window is open. These nine-metre-long buses have a higher ground clearance than the older low-floor models, making them easier to navigate on Gurugram’s uneven and rough roads.
Bus charging and depot facilities
When fully charged, these electric buses can cover up to 150 kilometres. A modern charging infrastructure has been established at the Sector 10 bus depot, where 18 charging points allow for simultaneous charging of 36 buses. Charging a bus in normal mode takes about two hours, while fast charging requires roughly one hour. Additionally, another depot has been set up in Sector 48.