If you were one of those hopeful souls dreaming of commuting in an air-conditioned bus this scorching summer, here is some disappointing news.
The Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL), that had planned to launch the AC bus service in the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), in December last year, is yet to take a look at the prototype, leave alone launch the service.
To elaborate, the AJL does not expect to roll out AC buses on city roads before mid-monsoons, i.e. July. The AJL wanted to start with 20 AC buses initially, and had placed orders for the buses with two companies, Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors, long ago.
Officials at the AJL now say that they have no option but to wait to check out a prototype bus from both the companies, in order to propose changes in design. "We have been pushing both the companies to show us prototype designs, but despite our constant reminders, the companies have not been able to show us the same. To go by estimates, it is not likely that they would showcase the AC bus this month," says a senior AJL official.
Officials say it would take at least a month for the company to deliver the buses, after changes in the prototype are finalised. "The main reason for the delay on the part of the companies is that all major cities in India that have opted for urban transport projects under JNNURM have placed orders with them. Ahmedabad seems last on the list of cities that have placed orders," adds the official.
Officials add that denizens have been requesting AJL authorities to start the AC buses for long, and that they wanted to launch the same before the start of summer. "But the huge demand that the companies are facing has dented the prospects. The biggest problem is that there are only two major companies - Tata and Ashok Leyland - that make buses required by the AJL," says an official. Meanwhile, the AJL has geared up to extend the BRTS route from Narol to Naroda. The 13 km-stretch is expected to be formally inaugurated by June 15.
