Thane Municipal Transport Expands Fleet: 123 New Electric Buses Under PM eBus Service Scheme

The Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) Undertaking is set to strengthen its public transport network by expanding its eco-friendly fleet with additional electric buses. So far, TMT has successfully integrated 123 electric air-conditioned buses, with more expected to arrive under the Central Government's PM eBus Service Scheme.

A batch of 100 buses was scheduled for delivery by the end of August, but technical issues identified during inspections in Nagpur have delayed the rollout by about a month. Once these issues are resolved, the buses will be incorporated into the city's fleet. The larger initiative targets the addition of 403 electric buses in total, funded through the 15th Finance Commission, contributions from both Central and State Governments, and the PM eBus Seva Yojana. Out of this planned number, 123 are already operating in Thane.

The purchase of the remaining 86 buses is expected to be completed within a year, while another 94 buses will be brought in over the next two years. Despite earlier plans, the 100 air-conditioned electric buses under the PM scheme have not yet entered service as of September.

Currently, TMT operates close to 400 buses, with 360 actively in service. With Thane's population crossing 2.5 million, the demand for reliable and eco-friendly transport has grown significantly. TMT, which runs on a non-profit basis, is focusing on modernizing its fleet while balancing efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Manager Bhalchandra Behere expressed optimism that the technical glitches delaying the delivery of new buses would be resolved within a month, enabling their addition to the fleet. He emphasized that these buses would further improve public transport in Thane while supporting the city's green mobility goals.