About the scheme:

  • The scheme is launched by the Government of India in 2023 to promote electric buses.
  • Under the scheme about 10,000 electric buses will be provided under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
  • The scheme will be rolled out in 169 cities and states are required to submit their proposals for the same.
  • It is being said that tickets will be available through an automatic fare system.
  • Operators running these e-buses will be paid Rs 20-40 per kilometre under this scheme.
  • The scheme will have an estimated cost of about Rs 57,613 crore, of which Rs 20,000 crore will be provided by the central government and the remaining will be borne by the states.
  • The government informed that priority will be given to those cities which do not have an organised bus service.
  • The scheme would continue up to 2037.
  • The scheme has two segments which are augmenting city bus services in 169 cities and also green urban mobility initiatives in 181 cities.
  • The e-buses will be made available in cities with a population between 3 lakh and 40 lakh.
  • The scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.
  • The cities will be selected through a challenge (for the purpose of this scheme).
  • In the selected cities, on-motorised transport would also be provided to help public transport.
  • It is being said that under the scheme, cities will be responsible for running the bus services and making payments to bus operators.
  • The central government will support the bus operations by giving subsidy in the proposed scheme.
  • Central assistance will be given on the basis of number of kilometres covered by the buses, and the incentive will be given for three months at a time.