CHENNAI: The Metropolitan Transport Corporation has floated a tender for the procurement, supply, operation and maintenance of 20 air-conditioned electric double-decker buses under the gross cost contract model, marking another step towards expanding electric bus services in the city.
The Request for Proposal, issued on January 8, also covers the development of allied electric and civil infrastructure required for operating the buses.
The procurement of the double-decker buses is part of broader efforts under the Chennai City Partnership programme to improve urban transport services through performance-based induction of electric buses.
Under the gross cost contract model, the selected operator will own the buses and be responsible for their operation and maintenance for a 12-year concession period. The MTC will pay the operator on a 'per kilometre' basis, with the contract to be awarded through a least cost-based system, based on the lowest per kilometre fee quoted.
Each bus will have an assured operation of 4,500 km per month. The MTC has retained the option to increase the total number of electric buses under the contract by up to 25 per cent, either at the time of issuing the letter of acceptance or within one year of signing the concession agreement.
The move signals the return of double-decker buses to Chennai after a gap of more than 17 years, though in a modern, electric form. Sources in the MTC said the proposed induction has renewed public interest, especially after an electric double-decker bus manufactured by Switch Mobility was recently spotted on city roads, drawing wide attention on social media.
Officials, however, said the buses would be operated only on select routes due to infrastructure constraints. Adequate vertical clearance is a key requirement, and routes with low bridges, overhead cables or other obstructions are unsuitable for such services.
Chennai's association with double-decker buses dates back to the 1970s. After being discontinued in the 1980s, the services were revived in 1997 and operated on the High Court to Tambaram route until 2008, before being withdrawn again.