Jaipur: In a major step toward promoting green public transport, Jaipur on Thursday began trial runs of electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme. On the first day, buses covered a total of 186 kilometers across five major routes in the city.
During the trial, officials and technical experts from Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) were onboard to assess performance, safety, and operational efficiency.
Real-World Load Testing Conducted
To simulate actual passenger load conditions, jerry cans filled with soil equivalent to passenger weight were placed inside the buses. The three-day trial will continue across different routes until February 28, after which a detailed report will be submitted to the central government.
If the trial proves successful, Jaipur is expected to receive 150 new electric buses in the first phase by April.
Practical Challenges Observed During Trial
While the electric bus trial marks a significant shift toward sustainable mobility in Jaipur, several practical concerns emerged:
Seating and Standing Capacity
The buses have a seating capacity of 31 passengers. It remains unclear whether standing passengers will be allowed or if operations will be restricted strictly to seated capacity.
Ground Clearance Issues
Another key concern is the relatively low height of the buses. Officials are assessing whether the ground clearance will be sufficient to navigate Jaipur’s high speed breakers and pothole-prone roads.
Hydraulic Gate Delay for Divyangjan Access
A major operational issue involves the hydraulic gate designed for persons with disabilities. The system reportedly takes three to five minutes to fully open and close. On busy routes, such delays could pose traffic management challenges.
Routes Covered in the Trial
The electric buses were tested on the following routes:
- Agrawal Farm to Kukas via Madhyam Marg – 36 km
- Kukas to Agrawal Farm – 36 km
- Agrawal Farm to Kukas via Madhyam Marg – 36 km
- Kukas to Agrawal Farm – 36 km
- Agrawal Farm to Amer via Madhyam Marg – 29 km
- Amer to Agrawal Farm – 29 km
Push for Sustainable Urban Mobility
The electric bus trial aligns with Jaipur’s broader goal of reducing carbon emissions and improving urban air quality. If implemented successfully, the initiative could significantly modernize the city’s public transport system and set a benchmark for eco-friendly mobility in Rajasthan.
The final evaluation after February 28 will determine the timeline for full-scale rollout of electric buses in Jaipur.
