New Delhi: To promote e-mobility, the cabinet has approved PM-eBus Sewa scheme, which aims to enhance city bus operations by introducing 10,000 e-buses on a PPP model. The estimated cost of implementing this scheme is Rs.57,613 crore, with the central government providing support of Rs.20,000 crore. This initiative will facilitate bus operations for a duration of 10 years.
The scheme will encompass cities with a population of three lakh and above according to the 2011 census, including all the capital cities of Union Territories, the North Eastern Region, and Hill States. The scheme will prioritize cities that currently have no organized bus service. Implementation of this scheme will lead to the creation of 45,000 to 55,000 direct job opportunities, with approximately 10,000 buses being deployed for city bus operations.
The Scheme has two segments:
Under Segment A – Augmenting the City bus services (169 cities), the bus scheme approved will enhance city bus operations by introducing 10,000 e-buses through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Associated Infrastructure will provide support for the development/upgradation of depot infrastructure and the creation of behind-the-meter power infrastructure, such as substations, for e- buses.
As a part of Segment B– Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI): (181 cities), the scheme incorporates initiatives such as prioritizing buses, improving infrastructure, creating multimodal interchange facilities, implementing NCMC-based Automated Fare Collection Systems, and establishing charging infrastructure.
Regarding the operation, the responsibility for running bus services and making payments to bus operators lies with the respective States/Cities. The Central Government will offer support for these bus operations by providing subsidies as specified in the proposed scheme.
In order to boost E-Mobility, complete support will be provided for behind-the-meter power infrastructure. Cities will also be supported for the development of charging infrastructure under Green Urban Mobility Initiatives.
Adoption to Electric mobility will reduce noise and air pollution and curb carbon emission. Modal shift due to increased share of bus-based public transportation will lead to GHG reduction.
