The UITP India International Bus Seminar 2024, themed “Advancing Electric Buses in India”, showcased India’s commitment to sustainable transportation and the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070. Organized with the support of NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU), the seminar brought together over 100 participants from six countries and 23 expert speakers, offering a wealth of insights on the latest trends and best practices in the electric bus sector.
The two-day seminar, held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on November 21-22, 2024, featured high-level plenary sessions, technical discussions, and a technical visit, creating a robust platform for knowledge-sharing and networking.
Keynote Sessions and Expert Panels
The seminar opened with a welcome address by Jaspal Singh, Senior Director of Membership and Global Operations, UITP. K. Phanindra Reddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, set the tone with his introductory remarks. Rakesh Jain, CEO of Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Ltd. (DIMTS), and Ismael Uruén Pueyo, Economic and Financial Director, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), delivered the inaugural remarks, emphasizing the importance of sustainable e-bus adoption.
The plenary session, “Sustainable E-Bus Adoption: FAME, PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, PM E-DRIVE Scheme, Bharat Urban Megabus Mission, and Beyond,” was a standout highlight. Moderated by Swati Khanna, Senior Sector Specialist at KfW, the panel included K. Phanindra Reddy; Ismael Uruén Pueyo; Rajneesh Rana, Head of Convergence at Convergence Energy Services Limited; Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JBM Group; and Gaurav Joshi, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries. The session explored regulatory frameworks, policies, and their implications for domestic and foreign investments in the electric bus sector.
Technical Sessions: Insights and Innovations
The seminar featured three technical sessions that delved into critical aspects of electric bus deployment:
- Sustainable Digitalization for Electric Buses
This session, moderated by Anupama Saha, Assistant General Manager at DIMTS, discussed the role of digitalization in enhancing passenger experience. Topics included ITMS, NCMC, and data-driven approaches. Panelists included Dr. Manjit Kaur Sooch, Director of Innovation and Technology at AC Transit, and industry leaders from BEST, VDV, and UITP, who shared strategies to integrate technology into public transport systems effectively. - Enhancing Electric Bus Efficiency through Sustainable Operations and Planning
Jaspal Singh led this session, joined by experts such as Ajay Srivastava of DIMTS, Mahak Dawra of GIZ India, and Bhanu Prasad of TSRTC. The discussion centered on route planning, scheduling, and strategies to optimize electric bus operations and maintenance. - Addressing Range Anxiety through Adequate Charging Infrastructure
Moderated by Hilia Boris Iglesia, Head of Service and Excellence at UITP, this session highlighted the importance of strategically planned charging infrastructure to mitigate range anxiety. Panelists included Ferdinand Burgersdijk, CEO of FRCV B.V.; Krishna Desai of GIZ India; and Khushboo Shrivastava, CEO of Coulomb AI, who offered solutions to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability.
Technical Visit to Rajghat-2 Electric Bus Depot
The second day offered participants hands-on exposure to electric bus operations with a visit to the Rajghat-2 Depot of the Delhi Transport Corporation. Housing 71 AC electric buses manufactured by JBM Group, the depot features 15 chargers, achieving a bus-to-charger ratio of 5:1. Participants gained insights into depot design, charging infrastructure, battery features, and driver training programs, offering a practical understanding of managing electric buses at scale.
Collaborating for a Greener Future
The seminar concluded with a call to action for advancing electric buses, underscoring the transformative potential of this sector in reshaping India’s mobility landscape. Vibrant networking sessions facilitated knowledge exchange among participants, fostering collaboration between national and international stakeholders.
As a next step, UITP India announced a Capacity Building Programme for State Transport Undertakings (STUs) and Public Transport Authorities of India under the “Advancing Electric Buses in India” project, scheduled for March 6-7, 2025.
