Electric Double-Decker Buses to Return to Chennai After 17 Years; MTC Plans 20 New Buses
Double-decker buses, once a familiar sight on Chennai roads before disappearing more than 17 years ago, are set to make a comeback in a modern electric avatar. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is planning to introduce electric double-decker buses as part of its initiative to electrify the city’s public transport fleet.
According to sources within the MTC, tenders will be floated soon for the procurement of 20 electric double-decker buses. The proposal has generated renewed public interest, especially after Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle arm of Ashok Leyland, was recently seen operating its electric double-decker bus on Chennai roads, drawing widespread attention on social media.
However, transport officials clarified that these buses will be operated only on select routes due to infrastructure constraints. Adequate vertical clearance is a key requirement, as routes with low bridges, overhead cables, or other obstructions are unsuitable for such tall vehicles.
The electric double-decker buses measure 9.8 metres in length and 4.75 metres in height, and can accommodate 65 seated passengers, with 35 seats on the upper deck and 30 on the lower deck. The buses are designed, developed, and manufactured by Switch Mobility, which had earlier conducted a test run in Chennai in August 2023.
Chennai has a long history with double-decker buses. They were first introduced in the 1970s, discontinued in the 1980s, reintroduced in 1997, and operated on the 18A route between High Court and Tambaram until 2008, before being withdrawn once again. The upcoming electric version marks a significant revival of this iconic mode of transport.
