Tata Motors to suppy over 2,700 buses under JnNURM – II

In what is a fillip for both the CV sector and Tata Motors, the company has announced that it has received an order from KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) to supply 487 buses and another 780 buses to HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) for Tata Marcopolo built buses as per ‘Urban Bus Specifications’ under JNNURM – II scheme. These orders are part of the over 2,700 orders for Tata Motors ‘Urban’ buses received under the JnNURM - II scheme.

The ‘Urban’ buses, says Tata, offer safety, comfort and convenience to passengers and also better operating efficiency. These buses are fitted with CCT cameras that can record all movement inside the bus. They also have wider passage-way for free movement, wider window panes for better visibility along with wider and lower entry/exit doors.

Tata Urban buses, which are powered by new-generation ISBe Cummins fuel efficient engines, incorporate ITS (Intelligence Transport Systems) for public information, through GPS via electronic destination display boards, indicating expected time of arrival at bus stops and route announcements within the bus.

Other vehicle highlights include lower floor height, bucket-type seats, softer suspension, tubeless tyres and lower NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness).

Commenting on the latest order, Ravi Pisharody, executive director, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, Tata Motors, says: “These buses are manufactured at Tata Marcopolo Motors’ facilities in Dharwad and Lucknow, with state-of-the-art technologies and expertise in systems for bodybuilding and bus body design, conforming to international standards in quality and safety as well as ‘roll-over tests’ as mandated by the Urban Development Ministry. With over 60,000 Marcopolo buses plying across the length and breadth of the country, these buses are also marketed in all Tata Motors focused markets globally.”

Tata Motors says it will impart training to drivers of the STUs/operators on handling the new ‘Urban’ buses, including general service and maintenance. The company is committed to support these buses by leveraging its large network of over 1800 authorized service set-ups all of which are geared to provide best-in-class service support, over the lifecycle of these buses. Also, at strategic locations, the company says it has upgraded its set-ups for the maintenance and repair of these new generation bus bodies.

Tata Motors has also developed Electric Hybrid buses and Articulated buses to meet the future transport needs for the ‘Envisaged Smart Cities’.