The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation has recalled the tender for 9 m Midi Non-AC buses and 12 m low floor AC buses after the state government permitted a reduction in bank guarantee given by service providers under gross cost control (GCC) model. The reduction in bank guarantee is likely to reduce the per/km GCC rate as well and encourage more participation.
BMTC has recalled the tender for 440 electric buses comprising 120 9m non-ac buses and 320 12 low-floor AC buses as the state government decided to reduce the overall bank guarantee required to be submitted by service providers. The change is also likely to reduce the operational cost paid by BMTC in the form of per km charges.
For procure, supply, Operate and Maintain the Buses, and procure, supply and maintain all plant and machinery the buses by the service providers, BMTC pays a rate per km with an agreement with the service provider to procure and operate up to agreed-upon minimum kilometres per day.
“We have recalled the tender for all-electric vehicles being procured under the GCC model. The state government had removed the mandate for service providers to give 5 per cent of the total cost for five years. Now, they will only be required to pay the same for one year. This will reduce the bank guarantee required to 8 per cent and will be only paying 1/12 the previous guarantee. For example: For the 320 buses, they would have to give bank guarantee, they would have to pay INR 113 crore but now will only have to pay INR 900 crore,” said a senior BMTC official.
The measure is also likely to bring down the operational cost paid by BMTC. “Currently, we had estimated that the operational cost for these buses would be INR 63.90 per km and the new change is likely to bring it further down. The measure will be beneficial for both BMTC and service providers,” he added.
The 120 9m electric non-AC buses are being procured under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and State Urban Transport Fund (SUTF) of the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT). These buses will have to run for 63,000 km per year with 180 assured Km/day/bus X 350 days. The 320 Ac low-floor e-buses are being procured under the scheme for Special assistance to States for capital investment 2023-24. These buses will have to run an assured 250km per day.
