Tata
Motors has delivered 35 state-of-the-art Starbus electric buses, as a part of
the larger order of 340 electric buses to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and
Transport (BEST). The 35-seater Tata Starbus electric AC buses were flagged off
by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of
dignitaries from the Maharashtra state government, BEST and Tata Motors, at an
event at Mahim, Mumbai.
The
buses are procured by BEST under the government of India’s FAME II initiative,
and the delivery is a part of the first ever Gross Cost Contract (GCC) by BEST.
Tata Motors will be undertaking to build, deploy, maintain and operate the
complete charging infrastructure along with the buses. The company will deliver
the rest of the order in a phased manner, as per the schedule.
The
12-metre long, 35-seater Tata Starbus AC electric buses are equipped with
advanced features for the comfort of the driver and the passengers like ‘Lift
Mechanism’ that extends an automated ramp for easy ingress and egress of
specially abled passengers, along with ergonomic seats, roomy interiors,
utility provisions like charging ports and wide entry and exit passages.
The
full-electric buses come with Intelligent Transport System (ITS), telematics
system, regenerative braking system, amongst other features for efficient and
smooth operations. The buses have been extensively tested and validated by Tata
Motors across varied terrains and conditions and are engineered to deliver high
standard of performance.