Good news for metro trains passengers in Chennai regarding last mile connectivity!!
Providing last mile connectivity for the passengers is very important.
It is now said that MTC or Metropolitan Transport Corporation would be running e-buses or electric buses to provide last mile connectivity for the passengers at the metro stations in Chennai. Truth is that this decision has been taken by MTC following the success of operating electric buses in Chennai. On 3rd of November, a pre tender meeting would take place between MTC and the OEM or original equipment manufacturers of electric buses.
It was brought to light by a senior official from MTC that CMRL or Chennai metro Rail limited has been seeking to operate small buses for first and last mile connectivity in many places belonging to Chennai city. On more than 25 routes MTC has been operating small buses to cater to the needs of the passengers. For this, a request made by CMRL is known. The operations of small buses have not been economically feasible and this was as per some officials.
According to an official from MTC it has been proposed to explore the viability of operating air-conditioned electric buses in more than 200 routes. He added that this would be to satisfy the requirements of the commuters in Chennai and following the successful implementation of electric buses under the gross cost contract model.
Need for pre consulting meeting:
The reason for the pre-consulting meeting that would take place with OEMs of e-buses is to assess the feasibility of operating 220(five and six metre) air conditioned e-buses for the last mile connectivity at the metro stations in Chennai.
For creating electric bus infrastructure in Chennai, CMRL has already identified 4 places. This was as per an official from MTC. He concluded that soon tenders would be floated for the mini e-buses
