JAMMU: An official said on Tuesday that a prototype electric bus model arrived here, and Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) is likely to commence its trial run soon.A fleet of 200 electric buses is planned to be delivered to the twin capital towns of Jammu and Srinagar as part of smart city initiatives. In Jammu and Srinagar, Tata Motors will provide, manage, and maintain 100 electric buses each, while Chalo Mobility will offer consumer technology solutions like electronic ticketing machines (ETIMs), automated fare collection systems (AFCS), mobile apps with platforms for mobile tickets and mobile passes, smart cards, and cloud-based hosting.According to a representative of JSCL, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established in August 2017 for the implementation of smart city development initiatives, “the trials will begin shortly after the prototype (model of the E-bus) is officially received.” He claimed that following successful tests and examination of the viability of routes and other modalities, the operation of these environmentally friendly buses will begin. According to the official, these electric buses are equipped with modern technologies including a panic button, GPS system, CCTV, stop request system, and other security-related elements. He added that both smart cities must implement a national common mobility card-compliant digital ticketing system as part of the process, which would do away with the need for paper tickets and make contactless ticketing a more environmentally friendly choice.He added that it would significantly reduce the authority’s ticketing expenses. Additionally, he noted that passengers would be able to access real-time bus tracking, traffic conditions, and arrival time estimates via mobile applications.
