Expressway changes the face of travel between Mysuru and Bengaluru
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Expressway changes the face of travel between Mysuru and Bengaluru

May 21, 2023

KSRTC’s e-bus service has over 1,000 daily happy customers

By S.T. Ravikumar

Mysore/Mysuru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s (KSRTC) intercity electric bus (e-bus) between Mysuru and Bengaluru on the Expressway built between the two cities has seen an overwhelming response from the passengers who are using the service with more frequency now.

The trial run of just one bus procured from a Hyderabad-based company under the Centre’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme began on Jan. 16 and due to an electric response, the KSRTC now has eight such buses plying on the route on a daily basis and all of them have 100 percent occupancy.

After the successful trial run, eight more buses were introduced on Mar. 21 and every day, these buses, each carrying 43 passengers per trip, cover 24 trips. The buses are called ‘EV Power Plus’.

Every day, over 1,032 passengers take the bus and the monthly number has hit an average of 31,000 passengers.

The trips start from 6 am till 7 pm and as an advantage for travellers, the buses start from Mysuru’s Sub-Urban Bus Stand and stop at Satellite Bus Stand on Mysuru Road in Bengaluru and the final destination is Majestic Bus Stand (Subhashnagar) in Bengaluru. While Rs. 320 per passenger is charged till the Satellite Bus Stand, Rs. 340 is charged till Majestic.

Pulling premium customers

In fact, the timing of the electric bus introduction matched perfectly with the inauguration of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway and the KSRTC placed a significant bet on this service.

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Launching the service, the KSRTC is attracting premium customers, who typically prefer train travel and is offering an eco-friendly and air-conditioned e-bus service.

Many passengers have hailed the accessibility, affordability, comfort, travel time, punctuality and convenience offered by the e-buses. As the buses are offering a comfortable and affordable journey, it is giving tough competition to the Railways that is operating premium services between Mysuru and Bengaluru in addition to a host of other regular trains. 

Comparison with train travel

The Railways is operating two premium services — Vande Bharat Express and Shatabdi Express — and both trains have an average journey time of two hours between Mysuru and Bengaluru. The AC chair car fare for Vande Bharat Express ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs. 700 which is inclusive of meals. A journey in Shatabdi Express is Rs. 315 and the fare increases based on demand or last-minute bookings due to the dynamic pricing policy.

Compare this with the EV Power Plus service where the fares are Rs. 320 and Rs. 340 with a travel time of approximately 2.30 to 2.45 hours between the two cities.

Popularity and pricing

It may be mentioned here that the journey time will reduce further to 2.15 to 2.30 hours once the Expressway is fully operational. However, the entire toll charge will be added to the ticket price once the full-fledged toll collection begins.

It remains to be seen how much fare will be charged on these buses and the popular public response might hinge on the pricing factor also.   

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With the popularity of e-buses, the KSRTC is also receiving positive feedback from environmental groups. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has said that the introduction of electric buses is a positive step towards reducing air pollution.

The KSPCB has said that it is working with KSRTC to ensure that the buses are properly maintained and operated. This will help to ensure that they continue to provide a clean and comfortable travel experience for passengers.

Many advantages of e-buses

  • These buses are more environmental-friendly than traditional buses, as they do not produce emissions that contribute to air pollution.
  • They are quieter than traditional buses, which can make for a more pleasant travel experience for passengers.
  • They are more reliable than traditional buses, as they are less likely to break down.
  • They are more efficient than traditional buses, as they require less energy to operate.

e-buses Vs fast trains

  • Fare from Mysuru to Bengaluru Satellite Bus Stand: Rs. 320
  • Fare till Majestic Bus Stand in Bengaluru: Rs. 340
  • Travel time: 2.30 to 2.45 hours
  • Shatabdi Express train fare: Rs. 315 (increases based on demand)
  • Vande Bharat Express: From Rs. 500 to Rs. 700 (inclusive of meals)
  • Travel time: Average two hours

10 COMMENTS ON THIS POST To “Expressway changes the face of travel between Mysuru and Bengaluru”

  1. Sanjay Kini says:

    KSPCB can suggest to KSRTC to replace the entire fleet of diesel buses with olectra 35 seater electric AC buses to Chamundi hills , similar to the 50 electric AC buses launched by APSRTC from Tirupati to Tirumala.Also looking forward to seeing the AC electric Double decker city buses for whose trail run KSRTC had chosen Mysuru and Tumakuru cities.

  2. Epijay says:

    I wonder how long it will be before people start putting speed breakers on this road. Instead of speedbreakers on the expressway, there should be speed breakers on the side roads. The local population needs to understand the importance of stopping at the junction until the road is clear for crossing. There is simply no point in having a nice smooth road and having speed breakers on it every few miles. Even if there is one speedbreaker on the expressway, it gives rise to anxiety and the damoepihaycles sword effect

  3. Sharath TK says:

    This due to hybrid work culture as there is a demand for faster connectivity between Mysuru and Bengaluru. It’s time to develop IT parks in Mysuru outskirts which helps in development of Mysuru.

    Also KSRTC official can provide non stop bus service from kengeri metro station as it will save lots of time instead of boarding the non stop bus at deepanjali nagar.

  4. Gautam says:

    Just a stunt to run a few Electric-powered buses in this expressway, when, it is surrounded by a plethora of fossil-fuelled vehicles, thanks to the cheap oil deal stuck by Modi with Putin, who shamelesly wandering around the SEAsia, as if his support for the war monger Putin does not matter.
    When India has overtaken China as the most populous nation in the wotrld, with its 1,4 billion of teeming IUndians having massive carbon footprints, this e-bus stunrt looks so ridiculous and hypocritical.

  5. koppal boregowda says:

    This Tipu Expressway , will be used by Migrants from Tamil Nadu, and the Hassan-Kodagu-Keral highway proposed by that idiot MP Simha will makt it worse as migrants ffrom Kerala rush to settle in Mysore.
    Indians are choking with massive population having bred like rats. Internally in India, people from the very densely populated Kerala and Tamil Nadu want to migrate to Mysore. Do not ask them to learn the language-Kannada!
    At the international levels, Indians are resorting tom the extreme measure of paying to people smugglers, to smuggle them through the East European countries through the English Channel on Dinghies to clainm asylum in England. Increasingly, the Indian students are also doing this as once asylum is branted they get loans for study and settlenment. Indians are the worsst scroungers.
    ?Read: 1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/04/24/channel-migrants-small-boats-albanians-indians-smugglers/
    2.https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/indians-among-illegal-immigrants-paying-to-flee-
    britain/articleshow/18117092.cms?from=mdr
    3. http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/indians-among-immigrants-paying-to-flee-brit/1062585/
    Today, Modi is touring Australasia to boast about the reputation of India and Indians!!

  6. Prabu R says:

    Can someone share what is the CO2 emission and Water consumption for manufacturing a single battery. Also please update the battery replacement period to analyse about the pollution. Also share about number of batteries. I recommend someone to make article on this.

  7. Suresh TV says:

    I find traveling by Shatabdhi express more convenient as Good clean western Toilets available in each compartment for senior citizens who are diabetic.
    Fare : Rs. 315/- . No delays in reaching city railway station. 4:15 pm or earlier

  8. Sushma somaiah s says:

    Somebody said that TN AND KL people are migrating to KA don’t ask them to speak kannada. See blady hell if you migrate to KA you must learn kannada otherwise get lot you many more options in this earth. If you learn kannada well and good other wise you through out from Karnataka mind it.

  9. Amit Agrawal says:

    Yes, Experienced Comfortable Travel between these two cities on this expressway, lovely designed

  10. Sanjay Kini says:

    Next will KarnatakaSRTC introduce electric city buses like KeralaSRTC has introduced 50 SWIFT electric city buses.The Palace motors india bus runs 180km in a full charge and time taken to full charge is INR 200. and it takes 45 minutes to full charge. They have priced the ticket attractive as flat INR10/- if you travel either 1Km or travel 10Km.The pass till midnight is INR30 and the 24 hour pass is INR50. Hoping that KarnatakaSRTC will bring in these buses and make travel by public transport cheap for common man.Delhi government has made travel for labourers free by ordinary buses.

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