E-buses run out of power midway on Day One
TNN | Feb 26, 2019, 04:06 IST
While one bus stopped service at Cherthala (in pic), the other bus managed to reach VyttilaThiruvananthapuram: The celebrated long-distance service of KSRTC electric bus launched on Monday, was disrupted after two of the ten e-buses stopped their journey before reaching destination after the battery got drained out.
The two Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam e-buses which started operation from Thiruvananthapuram at 5am and 6am stopped the service at Cherthala and Vyttila respectively.
KSRTC arranged another electric bus, which was operating in the route, to transport passengers who got stranded at Cherthala.
Badusha A, conductor of the bus which stopped at Vyttila said: “Most of the passengers were to get down at Vyttila, and a few who had taken tickets to Ernakulam said they would go by themselves. There was only 8% batter charge remaining and hence, we were forced to stop the service.”
Interestingly, the buses successfully operated services on the hilly terrain of Pamba and Nilackal during Sabarimala season, though it was a short distance service of 42km.
“The buses were to be recharged at Haripad, but the installation of the charging station was not complete at that time. Now, the installation work is completed and the buses can be recharged at Haripad. It will take only 10 minutes to recharge, during which passengers will be given time for tea break,” said KSRTC MD Dinesh M P.
According to an official from the technical wing of KSRTC, the drivers of the buses which halted en route did not have the experience in operating e-buses.
“E-bus can cover 240km on full charge. The drivers of the two buses do not seem to have received training in power usage while driving, else the battery could not have drained out. It is to be noted that rest of the eight buses completed the schedule in the same route. The matter was informed to the company. There will not be any issue in the future as the recharging station at Haripad is ready,” said the official.
KSRTC has set up charging stations at Pappanamcode, Haripad, Aluva and Ernakulam. Another charging station is proposed to be set up at Alappuzha.
Trade unions members claimed that the e-buses were not viable for the state and intercity operations.
The two Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam e-buses which started operation from Thiruvananthapuram at 5am and 6am stopped the service at Cherthala and Vyttila respectively.
KSRTC arranged another electric bus, which was operating in the route, to transport passengers who got stranded at Cherthala.
Badusha A, conductor of the bus which stopped at Vyttila said: “Most of the passengers were to get down at Vyttila, and a few who had taken tickets to Ernakulam said they would go by themselves. There was only 8% batter charge remaining and hence, we were forced to stop the service.”
Interestingly, the buses successfully operated services on the hilly terrain of Pamba and Nilackal during Sabarimala season, though it was a short distance service of 42km.
“The buses were to be recharged at Haripad, but the installation of the charging station was not complete at that time. Now, the installation work is completed and the buses can be recharged at Haripad. It will take only 10 minutes to recharge, during which passengers will be given time for tea break,” said KSRTC MD Dinesh M P.
According to an official from the technical wing of KSRTC, the drivers of the buses which halted en route did not have the experience in operating e-buses.
“E-bus can cover 240km on full charge. The drivers of the two buses do not seem to have received training in power usage while driving, else the battery could not have drained out. It is to be noted that rest of the eight buses completed the schedule in the same route. The matter was informed to the company. There will not be any issue in the future as the recharging station at Haripad is ready,” said the official.
KSRTC has set up charging stations at Pappanamcode, Haripad, Aluva and Ernakulam. Another charging station is proposed to be set up at Alappuzha.
Trade unions members claimed that the e-buses were not viable for the state and intercity operations.
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