Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland bag massive DTC orders
Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have received massive orders from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for supply of buses for its fleet modernisation and expansion. While it is a second order from DTC for Tata Motors valued at Rs. 2,200 crores for supply of 1,625 ultra low-floor buses, with maintenance for 12 years, the deal with Ashok Leyland worth Rs. 11.9 billion is for supply of 875 high-end ultra low entry (ULE) buses, with maintenance for 12 years.
As the Capital prepares for the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010, DTC has decided to revamp its entire fleet with the additional of 6,000 new low-floor CNG AC and non-AC buses. The Delhi Government has made it clear that all developmental activities related to the Games will be undertaken on a war footing, including the replenishment of the DTC fleet. ‘’We are taking measures to phase out the blueline buses and bring in corporate entities to provide modern, low-floor buses, both air-conditioned and non-airconditioned, for the comfort of the commuters”, said a spokeperson of Delhi Government. Currently, DTC has a fleet of 3,850 buses, of which 655 are low-floor AC and non-AC buses.
The first order for these buses was bagged by Tata Motors in 2007 for supply of 650 buses, and the company fulfilled the order in batches, as per schedule, in 2008. As has been the case with Tata Motors buses already plying in Delhi, these ultra low-floor vehicles make entry and exit extremely convenient, with passengers almost walking into them, rather than climbing. A pneumatically deployed automatic access ramp makes it particularly convenient for those with special challenges, who can even come in with their wheel-chairs. Wide twin doors, at the centre and the front, permit three individuals to simultaneously enter and exit.
The bus interiors are spacious. The seats are ergonomically designed and the corridors wide enough for easy movement. Special features include a communication system connecting the driver to passengers and electronic destination board. The engine, at the rear, reduces noise, heat and vibration levels, while also increasing interior space. Full pneumatic suspension and automatic transmission further add to a comfortable ride. Tata Motors will be responsible for the maintenance of these buses for 12 years. Success of the company ultra low-floor buses in Delhi is encouraging other cities to consider similar transportation solutions.
A comprehensive solution
For Ashok leyland, this single largest order from DTC envisages supply of 350 A/C and 525 non-A/C buses. The actual supply will commence by mid-2009 and will be completed by September next. The maintenance contract valid for 12 years, which is part of the deal, is valued at a further Rs. 7.1 billion. Drivers will be trained at the company’s state-of-the-art Driver Training Institute at Burari, near New Delhi, which has been set up jointly with the Delhi Government.
Said Mr. R Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland: “The uniqueness of this order from DTC is that we have been contracted to offer a truly comprehensive urban transportation solution. 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”.
Mr. R K Verma, Secretary cum Transport Commissioner & CMD of DTC, said: “We are happy that Ashok Leyland which 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 new ULE buses will have a floor height of 390 mm, for step-less entry. The 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 230hp 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 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.
Proven technology strength
With its proven strength in technology, Ashok Leyland has won the DTC order at a time when the bus segment is agog with activity with the entry of new players like Volvo and MercedesBenz and the fierce competition therefrom, forcing the existing manufacturers to increasingly resort to newer ways and means of producing high-tech products of popular appeal in order to stay afloat. All the players have realized the importance of expanded R&D and vehicle designing activities too.
Ashok Leyland’s newly-developed city bus with extra features was a major attraction at Auto Expo 2008. The design work on this rare and innovative product started by the company team of young talented engineers in 2006 took just less than 10 months for its completion.
In its endeavour to find out why people are averse to travelling by bus, the team found out after a detailed survey of bus traffic systems in major cities that journeying during peak hours is indeed a pain for the general public. Keeping in mind the affordability factor, the team members went about judiciously mixing and matching the most cost-effective and yet state-of-the-art components and aggregates for building the new vehicle.
It was a learning experience for the team to interact with parts suppliers, constantly follow up for material procurement and resolve issues relating to vehicle integration with various sub-continents. The team could really achieve what it wanted, thanks to its sincerity and dedication to the job on hand.
Growing market share
The Indian bus market was for long dominated by Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors. Now there are other players like Eicher, Swaraj Mazda, Volvo and MercedesBenz.
Ashok Leyland still remains the only Indian source for vestibule and double-decker buses, thereby having the widest range of passenger vehicles to meet diverse customer requirements across the country. Its offer of world-class products of high technology suited to customer requirements at competitive rates accounts for the company’s continued success in the segment.
In the STU segment, with its robust and scientific fleet management system and cost benefit analysis, Ashok Leyland is the preferred brand since its vehicles offer the best cost to value over a vehicle’s life cycle. Further, the company has leadership in the M&HCV passenger segment for many years with 46 per cent market share. It has leadership in the STU segment, with over 60 per cent market share and has its equally strong presence among private operators, with almost 50 per cent market share.
The new bus models proposed to be introduced by the company are the Ultra Low Entry (ULE) buses with a floor height of 390 mm with stepless entry, Semi-Low Floor (SLF) buses with 650 mm entry both in diesel and CNG versions, Tarmac Coaches (with a choice in floor heights of 390 mm, 650 mm and 860 mm) which are already running in some Indian airports, and the Luxura which is a high-end luxury coach.
Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland have received massive orders from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) for supply of buses for its fleet modernisation and expansion. While it is a second order from DTC for Tata Motors valued at Rs. 2,200 crores for supply of 1,625 ultra low-floor buses, with maintenance for 12 years, the deal with Ashok Leyland worth Rs. 11.9 billion is for supply of 875 high-end ultra low entry (ULE) buses, with maintenance for 12 years.As the Capital prepares for the Commonwealth Games to be held in 2010, DTC has decided to revamp its entire fleet with the additional of 6,000 new low-floor CNG AC and non-AC buses. The Delhi Government has made it clear that all developmental activities related to the Games will be undertaken on a war footing, including the replenishment of the DTC fleet. ‘’We are taking measures to phase out the blueline buses and bring in corporate entities to provide modern, low-floor buses, both air-conditioned and non-airconditioned, for the comfort of the commuters”, said a spokeperson of Delhi Government. Currently, DTC has a fleet of 3,850 buses, of which 655 are low-floor AC and non-AC buses.
The first order for these buses was bagged by Tata Motors in 2007 for supply of 650 buses, and the company fulfilled the order in batches, as per schedule, in 2008. As has been the case with Tata Motors buses already plying in Delhi, these ultra low-floor vehicles make entry and exit extremely convenient, with passengers almost walking into them, rather than climbing. A pneumatically deployed automatic access ramp makes it particularly convenient for those with special challenges, who can even come in with their wheel-chairs. Wide twin doors, at the centre and the front, permit three individuals to simultaneously enter and exit.
The bus interiors are spacious. The seats are ergonomically designed and the corridors wide enough for easy movement. Special features include a communication system connecting the driver to passengers and electronic destination board. The engine, at the rear, reduces noise, heat and vibration levels, while also increasing interior space. Full pneumatic suspension and automatic transmission further add to a comfortable ride. Tata Motors will be responsible for the maintenance of these buses for 12 years. Success of the company ultra low-floor buses in Delhi is encouraging other cities to consider similar transportation solutions.
A comprehensive solution
For Ashok leyland, this single largest order from DTC envisages supply of 350 A/C and 525 non-A/C buses. The actual supply will commence by mid-2009 and will be completed by September next. The maintenance contract valid for 12 years, which is part of the deal, is valued at a further Rs. 7.1 billion. Drivers will be trained at the company’s state-of-the-art Driver Training Institute at Burari, near New Delhi, which has been set up jointly with the Delhi Government.
Said Mr. R Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland: “The uniqueness of this order from DTC is that we have been contracted to offer a truly comprehensive urban transportation solution. 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”.Mr. R K Verma, Secretary cum Transport Commissioner & CMD of DTC, said: “We are happy that Ashok Leyland which 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 new ULE buses will have a floor height of 390 mm, for step-less entry. The 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 230hp 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 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.
Proven technology strength
With its proven strength in technology, Ashok Leyland has won the DTC order at a time when the bus segment is agog with activity with the entry of new players like Volvo and MercedesBenz and the fierce competition therefrom, forcing the existing manufacturers to increasingly resort to newer ways and means of producing high-tech products of popular appeal in order to stay afloat. All the players have realized the importance of expanded R&D and vehicle designing activities too.
Ashok Leyland’s newly-developed city bus with extra features was a major attraction at Auto Expo 2008. The design work on this rare and innovative product started by the company team of young talented engineers in 2006 took just less than 10 months for its completion.In its endeavour to find out why people are averse to travelling by bus, the team found out after a detailed survey of bus traffic systems in major cities that journeying during peak hours is indeed a pain for the general public. Keeping in mind the affordability factor, the team members went about judiciously mixing and matching the most cost-effective and yet state-of-the-art components and aggregates for building the new vehicle.
It was a learning experience for the team to interact with parts suppliers, constantly follow up for material procurement and resolve issues relating to vehicle integration with various sub-continents. The team could really achieve what it wanted, thanks to its sincerity and dedication to the job on hand.
Growing market share
The Indian bus market was for long dominated by Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors. Now there are other players like Eicher, Swaraj Mazda, Volvo and MercedesBenz.
Ashok Leyland still remains the only Indian source for vestibule and double-decker buses, thereby having the widest range of passenger vehicles to meet diverse customer requirements across the country. Its offer of world-class products of high technology suited to customer requirements at competitive rates accounts for the company’s continued success in the segment.
In the STU segment, with its robust and scientific fleet management system and cost benefit analysis, Ashok Leyland is the preferred brand since its vehicles offer the best cost to value over a vehicle’s life cycle. Further, the company has leadership in the M&HCV passenger segment for many years with 46 per cent market share. It has leadership in the STU segment, with over 60 per cent market share and has its equally strong presence among private operators, with almost 50 per cent market share.
The new bus models proposed to be introduced by the company are the Ultra Low Entry (ULE) buses with a floor height of 390 mm with stepless entry, Semi-Low Floor (SLF) buses with 650 mm entry both in diesel and CNG versions, Tarmac Coaches (with a choice in floor heights of 390 mm, 650 mm and 860 mm) which are already running in some Indian airports, and the Luxura which is a high-end luxury coach.
