Mumbai, India: Tata Motors is tasked with the job of delivering orders of over 5,000 buses to 25 State / City Transport Undertakings across India. The order books marks upward of 80 percent growth over last year.
Increased buying by State Transport Undertakings is being witnessed after about four years, and implies renewed focus on public transport by State Governments / City Transport providers.
The orders signify a noticeable trend towards demand in new technology, safety, comfort features and connected IT enabled buses. Tata Motors will support STU’s benefit from technology inclusion.
On the commuter safety and connectivity front, IT enabled buses offer easy tracking and traceability. Modern buses feature GPS enabled On-Board ITS (Intelligent Transport System), public information systems via electronic destination boards, CCTV cameras, WiFi onboard, smart multi-mode ticketing, and on board Diagnostics systems.
Other features in demand include air-conditioning / heating (HVAC), air-suspension systems, lower NVH Systems (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), automatic transmission set-ups, adoption of Bus Body code practices during body fabrication, wider passage-ways for free movement, window panes for better visibility, and lower entry/exit doors .
More than 1500 of the order will integrate the above IT enabled features and will be built at the Tata Marcopolo (Dharwad and Lucknow) and ACGL Goa facility.
Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd. says Tata is proud to partner with STU’s and is keen on adoption of latest tech that facilitates fleet modernization. This in turn lowers total operating costs, and increases user base. Change in mindset will encourage innovations in the public transport space.
Sandeep Kumar, Business Head (Commercial Vehicles – Passenger), Tata Motors Ltd. says early investment in passenger transportation capabilities and technology helps Tata to play a key role in providing fully integrated transport solutions.
Tata Motors has almost doubled order books in FY16-17 as of now and are capable of meeting current and future demand. Tata plans to deliver all current orders in FY2016-17. The orders help the automaker further strengthen its leadership position in the CV Passenger space.
