875 bus order worth Rs. 4.8 billion; 12 year maintenance contract for Rs 7.1 billion
Ashok Leyland, the flagship of the Hinduja Group, has bagged an order for 875 high-end Ultra Low Entry (ULE) buses from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) as part of their fleet modernisation. Worth Rs. 4.8 billion, this is the Company's single largest order from a State Transport Corporation in value terms. Supply of 350 a/c and 525 non-a/c buses will commence by mid 2009 and will be completed by September'09.
"The uniqueness of this order is that we have been contracted to offer a truly comprehensive urban transportation solution," said Mr. R Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland. "Besides delivering these fully-built buses, we will train key personnel like drivers and mechanics and will maintain the buses to ensure uptime, by setting up exclusive maintenance depots," he added.
Mr R K Verma, IAS, Secretary cum Transport Commissioner & CMD DTC said : "We are happy that Ashok Leyland who had spearheaded the induction of CNG in our bus fleet, is now partnering us in our modernization drive. I am confident in Ashok Leyland's capabilities to offer us world class buses and provide the crucial long term support to ensure uptime".
The maintenance contract, valid for 12 years, is valued at a further Rs 7.1 billion. Drivers will be trained at the Company's state-of-the-art Driver Training Institute, situated at Burari, near New Delhi, which has been set up jointly with the Government of Delhi.
Stepless entry
The new ULE buses will have a floor height of 390 mm, for step-less entry. These 12-metre- long buses will have 35-seats with a 2x2 configuration. Passenger ride comfort is further addressed through a wide 1100 mm door and kneeling facility for easy entry and exit as also comfortable grab bars and air suspension. A retractable ramp is a disabled-friendly feature.
These buses will be powered by a 230 hp engine and fitted with automatic transmission, Speed Limiting Device and multiplex wiring.
The chassis and the body for the fully-built buses will be manufactured at Ashok Leyland's Alwar Plant, which had spearheaded the induction of CNG technology in Delhi buses, with a supply of over 3,500 CNG bus chassis. The infrastructure has since been augmented for bus body assembly, with ultra-modern facilities like a cubic framing fixture, hydraulic automated paneling, conveyors for automation, body lifting mechanisms, paint booth and a shower testing facility.
To be manufactured to the very exacting and stringent specifications laid down by DTC, the body structures will go through rigorous processes such as 336 hours of Salt Spray Test for corrosion.
