APSRTC to electrify entire bus fleet by 2029 under Mobility Policy 4.0

Amaravati, July 9 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh government will electrify the State Road Transport Corporation's fleet of over 10,600 buses by 2029 under the Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 4.0, a senior official said on Thursday. APSRTC operates over 8,012 owned buses and nearly 2,650 hired buses, while the government has directed the corporation to procure only air-conditioned electric buses for all future services. The government has decided to convert APSRTC's entire fleet of over 10,600 buses into electric vehicles by 2029 under the AP Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 4.0, said Special Chief Secretary (Transport) Krishna Babu, addressing a press conference. He dismissed reports that APSRTC was being privatised, saying there was no proposal to privatise the state-run transport corporation or to transfer, sell or lease its assets to private entities. He urged the public not to believe what he described as a false campaign about the privatisation of APSRTC. He said electric buses reduce fossil fuel dependence, cut pollution, lower long-term operating costs and improve passenger comfort with modern, environmentally friendly public transport facilities. Under the Centre's FAME-II scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India – Phase II), APSRTC rolled out 100 electric buses on the Tirupati, Nellore, Kadapa and Madanapalle routes through the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. Babu said the buses operate successfully at a per-kilometre fee of nearly Rs 50, including electricity charges, demonstrating the viability of electric public transport operations. He said all central electric bus schemes follow the GCC model because battery technology is still evolving, buses are expensive and APSRTC faces manpower shortages. Under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme, the Centre sanctioned 1,050 electric buses for 11 Andhra Pradesh cities through 16 depots, with procurement handled by Convergence Energy Services Limited. Tenders for 750 buses have been finalised, while the process for the remaining 300 buses is under way through a common national procurement mechanism. The Centre sanctioned Rs 145.3 crore, including 60 per cent support for civil infrastructure and full assistance for the electrical infrastructure required for electric bus operations. APSRTC will establish charging stations and maintenance facilities. The corporation expects incentives of about Rs 1,774 crore under the PM eBus Sewa Scheme. The scheme provides incentives of Rs 24 per kilometre for 12-metre buses and Rs 22 per kilometre for nine-metre buses over twelve years. For 12-metre buses, operators will receive Rs 48.5 per kilometre for the first 200 kilometres and Rs 36.2 per kilometre beyond that, while nine-metre buses will cost Rs 40.1 per kilometre. The 750 electric buses will operate from depots at Gajuwaka, Simhapuri, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Vidyadharapuram, Mangalagiri, Guntur, Nellore, Mangalam, Kadapa, Kurnool and Anantapur. The Vidyadharapuram, Guntur-2, Nellore-2 and Mangalam depots will each receive 100 electric buses under the first phase of the implementation programme. The government clarified that no employee would lose their job because of the introduction of electric buses, and said employee welfare would remain fully protected. APSRTC is examining a Dry Lease model under which manufacturers maintain the buses while the corporation provides drivers and conductors, safeguarding employees' interests. Operating agencies may use APSRTC garage space only for charging and maintenance during the agreement period, after which the land will revert to the corporation. Greenfield electric bus depots are being established at Simhapuri and Rajahmundry at Rs 15 crore each, while additional land is being allotted elsewhere, Babu said. Additional land has been allotted at Simhapuri and Kuppam, while proposals for Tirumala, Tirupati and other locations are under active government consideration, he said. APSRTC has approved the procurement of 903 additional buses to strengthen public transport, the release added, noting that welfare issues concerning Andhra Pradesh Public Transport Department employees would be resolved amicably. PTI MS SSK