In what could soon make it the first BRTS to run air-conditioned buses, Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL), better known as Ahmedabad BRTS, on Thursday received the first prototype of an air-conditioned bus.
Once AJL oficials approve the prototype, suppliers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have committed to deliver another 10 and 20 a/c buses, respectively by December 2010.
While about 41 buses, operational contract for which has been awarded to Chartered Speed Pvt. Ltd. (CSPL), were plying on the corridor, AJL had ordered for another 680 buses from Tata Motors as well as Ashok Leyland. The air-conditioned buses will cost Rs 30 lakh.Meanwhile, in next couple of months, AJL intends to add another 12-13 km to take BRTS from RTO to Naroda, thereby completing the second phase of the project. By then, Janmarg is expected to generate a daily revenue of Rs 6-6.5 lakh from about 1.20-1.30 lakh passengers per day. By March 2012, AJL hopes to take the total length of BRTS corridor to 88 km, covering areas like SG Highway, Sola, Gomtipur, Odhav, and Danapith, apart from an elevated route to Kalupur Railway Station.
