These 120 buses form part of the first phase of the plan to induct 650 electric buses, with a total of 1,225 electric buses to be introduced across Chennai eventually. The newly-launched buses have been deployed on 11 routes as deluxe services.

Officials from the MTC told TNIE that existing services will not be cut and that the new buses will augment current operations. The e-buses will operate under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, where the private operator is responsible for building, operating, and maintaining the buses for 12 years.

The MTC will pay Rs 77.16 per km to OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and SWITCH Mobility which manufactured the buses. “The MTC-hired conductors on contract have been deployed in these buses. But tickets will only be issued through electronic ticketing machines,” said an official.

The buses are to be introduced in 11 routes — K Kannadasan Nagar to K Kannadasan Nagar (2B, circular route via Anna Square, Central and Vsayarpadi), Broadway-Kilambakkam (18A), K Kannadasan Nagar-K Kannadasan Nagar (C33 circular route via Moolakadai, Choolai, Central and Broadway), K Kannadasan Nagar-K Kannadasan Nagar (C 64 via Moolakadai, Jamalia, Choolai, & Central), Poonamallee-Vallalar Nagar (37), M K B Nagar-MGR Koyambedu (46 G), Vallalar Nagar-Redhills (57), Vallalar Nagar-Periyapalayam (57 X), Manali-Perambur (164 E), M K B Nagar-Kilambakkam (170 TX) and T V K Nagar-Guindy TVK Estate.

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