There is no certainty so far whether the 100 electric buses sanctioned for Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Coimbatore Ltd. by the State government will be supplied in 2025.

The expectation of the travelling public regarding operation of electric buses by the TNSTC Coimbatore Ltd., has risen, particularly after experiencing the journey in the electric buses operated by private entity NeuGo between Coimbatore and Tiruchi.

According to an official source, the patronage for electric buses, in the event of being operated by the TNSTC Coimbatore Ltd., “would definitely be high since the ticket pricing could be made quite competitive owing to the tax concessions”.

The electric buses being manufactured with latest technology process can withstand single charge for up to 300 km, which would make it possible for the TNSTC Coimbatore to operate buses to Tiruchi, Madurai and destinations in Karnataka and Kerala as well, a senior official said.

The National Electric Bus Programme (NEBP) envisages deployment of 50,000 electric buses across the country till 2027.

The Central government has notified Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) scheme to provide financial assistance to the State Transport Undertakings (STUs) for strengthening ITS in public transport, with the objective of improving the accessibility, connectivity and service offerings of public transportation in India.

However, in Tamil Nadu, execution of the two-year plan for securing 500 electric buses for distribution to different State transport corporations still remains a far cry, observed a trade union representative, insisting that the State government should spring into action to derive utmost utility of the PM E-Drive Scheme which was initiated in October 2024, and will be in force till March 31, 2026.