Shimla Peeran e-bus service starts, diesel savings of Rs 2800
The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Dhali Depot, Shimla, has launched an electric bus service to the village of Peeran in Junga tehsil. Residents have welcomed the new bus service, calling it an important step toward environmental protection and modernizing public transportation.
According to bus driver Madan and conductor Haripal Chauhan, the introduction of electric buses will provide passengers with a more comfortable, convenient, and peaceful journey. This will also significantly reduce the smoke and pollution caused by diesel vehicles. Electric buses reduce air and noise pollution, and reduce carbon emissions, promoting environmental protection.
Conductor Haripal said that earlier, the daily diesel cost for travelling from Dhali to Shimla via Junga Piran was around 4,000 rupees. With the operation of the electric bus, the electricity cost for charging the battery has now come down to around 1,200 rupees. This will save the Transport Corporation approximately 2,800 rupees in fuel costs per day. Thus, the electric bus service can also prove helpful in reducing the Transport Corporation’s operating expenses in the long run. He said that 65 percent of the battery is used in a journey of approximately 150 kilometers.
They say that another important advantage of electric buses is that their engine noise is reduced, providing passengers with a quieter and more pleasant travel experience. Furthermore, the reduced reliance on diesel and petrol reduces fossil fuel consumption. This helps make public transportation more environmentally friendly and promotes the use of clean energy.
The driver explained that the road conditions in the hilly areas are poor in many places, and deep potholes pose a risk of damage to the front of the bus. Therefore, road repairs are essential to ensure smooth and safe operation of the electric bus service. It remains to be seen how successful electric buses will be on the potholed and broken roads of the hilly areas.
